Ah yes, I've been stuck with homework and looking for my loyal pup warrior, who I though ran away but he was under the steps the whole time chewing on a stick -_- im relieved though even though I cried my eyes out. (not ashame to admit that) lol

Moving on now...

I just sat at the beach listening to Final Fantasy XIII-2 OST and just wrote what I felt so I hope you like it ^_^

A/N: there's going to be an "answer" in here that I purposly left out because it'll soon reveal itself in the coming chapters =)

The Lioness's triumph

CRAWWWWWLING IIIIN MY SKIIIIIIN, THESE WOOOOOUNDS THEY WILLLL NOT HEEEEAAAAL, FEEEEEAR IS HOOOOW I FAAAAAALL, CONFUUUUUSING WHAAAAAT ISSS REAAAAAAALLLL…

Linkin Park howled from the energetic mobile dancing across her night stand. She stretched over for it with closed eyes, knocking over her keys and the alarm clock positioned next to them. Groaning at the punishing clashes against her hardwood floor and not being able to reach her phone; she rose to her elbow out of frustration, getting the extra push she needed to touch the white portable phone.

The music was louder, ringing in her ears, "Can I just grab the phone…" whining the words.

After countless grabs for the gadget and numerous objects falling to the floor she successfully clutched the bawling phone, "I'm up I'm up," woozily speaking into the receiver.

A light laughed escaped from the innocent voice, "Just getting up?" Orihime spoke.

Le removed the annoying contraption away from her ear observing the screen to see what time it was. It was 5:27 p.m. which is the exact time she told Orihime to be at the house. She sighed in disbelief; that was the best four hours and twenty-seven minute nap she has ever had. It was just too good to be true, "Yeah…reaching for the loud phone woke me up half way,"

Her light laugh intensified through the ear piece, "Well I'm downstairs and drenched I was hoping you had some clothes I can change into,"

"Orihime really? Do you have to ask?"

"It's the polite way,"

"You don't need to be proper speaking to me, I knew you long enough now," speaking sincerely into the phone, "I'll be down,"

Orihime chuckled, "Okay, well someone just came to the door now, I'll be in the downstairs bathroom is that okay?"

Le hung up, Orihime been around her long enough to know that Le doesn't mind her coming in and doing whatever she wants, but Orhime wasn't raised by savages. She's reserved and respects other people houses and all Le want her to feel is comfort, little does she know this is Orhime's being; it's in her nature.

Rising on the support of her palm to lean against her headboard; she wiped the sleep out of her eyes. She looked to where Ichigo sat, at her desktop browsing the web then to the window next to him. Hearing her favorite weather hit against her casement window. She seen it was still light out and the stratus clouds surfaced the atmosphere signifying that it was a light rain. But no matter, any type of rain was favored.

She looked back to Ichigo, smiling to the back of him. In a girlfriend kind of way she would've been happy to claim him, someone she would settle down with, but he wasn't her man and she wasn't going to let her feelings get the best of her. Nothing is wrong with him in her eyes, but she's young; doing all that is necessary to get her life together. When all is said and done, maybe she'll give him the key to her heart, but that's a tale only time can express.

"You should've woke me up when you got up," still watching Ichigo.

"You should've seen the way you were sleeping, I couldn't wake you," rotating in the chair to look at her still weary face, "I took a picture of you," flashing a grin, "wanna see?"

"Do I have too?"

He went over to her night stand anyway. Picking up the fallen objects off the surrounding floor before getting his phone off the pillow he slept on. He pressed the necessary keys to get to the picture, then revealed to her that picture she knew she was going to loathe. She saw herself curled into a ball cuddling with the pillow, then looked to a noticeable wet spot near her face, "Is that drool?" looking from the screen to Ichigo's wide grin.

She swiftly grabbed his phone out his hand with the intent to delete the picture. Ichigo extended his long arm for the phone only for her to crawl away. He grasped her ankles yanking her back to him then crawled on top of her; pinning her to the bed then reaching for the phone. She chortled as he tickled her sides and still tried to grab for it, only for the touch-screen mechanism to drop in between the wall and the bed.

The couple paused before Ichigo sighed into the side of her face, "I just got the screen fix," talking into her ear.

"Sorry," feeling guilty she dug her face into her bed comforter. She muffled out words trying to cheer him up, "You don't know if it's broke,"

"I have a feeling," still lying on the back of her.

Two minutes went by, then three.

"Hey Ichigo," raising her head, "…you have to get off of me sometime,"

"For now I don't have to," sneering at her.

She smiled, catching on to his authentic trick, "You're sneaky,"

Ichigo didn't care about his phone; he wanted to lay with her once more before she left out to see Orhime. It's certainly not exhausting to just lay with her without having sex, even though she's strict when it comes to him showing her affection and of course he didn't listen. Ichigo knew it'll lead to his own downfall but no matter the feeling; he felt one step closer into having her heart. That feeling alone was all worth it, even if what they have between them came to an end.

"Orihime is waiting on me," playing with his fingers intertwined with hers.

She felt his smile against her cheek, "But you don't want me to get off you,"

He was right, she would've fought him off if that was the case, "Your body is so warm, it's raining, and it'll be the perfect time to just lay here with you, but Orihime is here on my behalf," slightly turning her face, to meet his lips, "…Ichigo!" bellowing in between the unforeseen kiss.

He then removed his lips off hers sighing into Le's shoulder before kissing on her exposed skin, he rose off her body. He looked at the cloth detailing her curvaceous structure. He scrutinized her round plump bottom that stood out from the towel; caressing the soft flesh through the crisp white fuzzy fabric.

"Not now," Le looked back over her shoulder to meet his warm light brown eyes, she bent her legs to bump the back of him with her heel, signaling him to proceed off her thighs.

He lifted himself off her; falling on the bed besides her as she rose moving to the door.

"You might want to put on some clothes first," reclining across her king size bed.

She laughed; completely forgetting she was in the towel. She let go of her door handle and sashayed to her built in closet, sliding the frosted glass door to the left and dropping her towel around her feet. She smirked turning to see Ichigo's eyes all over her. She loved teasing him; it was like playing with fire whenever he had that look in his eyes. If Orhime wasn't down stairs then he would've been all over her, kissing and rubbing her down. She grabbed a pair of panties; provocatively sliding the navy blue silk thong along her calf, her knees, her thighs, and swayed her hips lightly so they were placed just right around her waist. She then grabbed the bra that matched the fabric and color of her lower under garment, "Hey help me with this," looking back to Ichigo.

"heh, I'll help take it off," slightly laughing.

She knew what she was doing, "You suck,"

"On you I'll be glad too,"

"Nice comeback," snapping her bra, then grabbed a pair of neatly folded sweat pants that she stole from Grimmjow's laundry.

"How many of his sweats do you have?" Ichigo laughed again.

She only smiled, throwing over her head a fresh white tee shirt; another layer of clothing that she took from Grimmjow, "Enough to last me a lifetime,"

"Does he know you have them?"

"I don't know," slipping on her slippers, "and I don't care if he did," opening her door leaving out.

"You're so badass," fully laid out on her bed now, figuring out the rubix cube he grabbed from her nightstand.

She smiled at him, making her exit, "He'll never figure that out," she purposely changed the stickers around.

She stepped down the two steps turning the corner to jog down the flight of stairs hearing a loud, "HOW THE HELL YOU WON?" Staggering her as she was about to turn another corner into the kitchen before turning back into the lounge area. She stuck her head in the space, hearing the surround sounds of gun's letting off shots, explosions, shouting voices, snarls, and a large roar.

Gears of War. Thinking to herself.

She leaned against the door frame seeing Grimmjow in nothing but grey sweat pants, slippers, and black socks; using his knees as support for his elbows and Renji, fully dressed in a tee shirt and jeans, standing. Both were too focused into playing the game to notice the soundless stepping beauty. She laughed at the scene as Grimmjow didn't know what he was up against as for Renji taking advantage of the man's ignorance.

Grimmjow's player went down again which caused pandemonium, "BULLSHIT!" he ranted, rising from the ivory suede loveseat; as renji fell back into the suede smoky grey bean bag palpably laughing at the agitated blue-nette. Le softly chuckled staring at Grimmjow who didn't know what hit him.

She considered his feline attributes, wondering why it made him such a sex symbol. He is a gorgeous man, not like someone she ever seen before. I mean you don't run into people with naturally blue hair on the daily basis. She laughed within herself of the situation when the trio first met. Snickering again she started reflecting back on the serendipity that changed her life.

"SHIT IM LATE!" panting and running to her classroom, she held the paper in front of her face, running since she didn't expect anyone to be in the hallway and she didn't see the blue haired demon walking in front of her.

5… "2-A 2-A 2-A FUCK! where the hell is 2-A?" 4…"No, it's telling me to go straight," 3…"Hmm...why is this so confusing!" 2…"Oh wait...I'm definitly on the right track," 1…

Le bumped into what felt like a brick fall, dropping her books and papers flying everywhere.

Suprised at hearing the gruff voice speak, "Watch where the hell ya going!"

She held her shoulder in pain kneeling to the ground as her papers fell all around her, "Dammit!" whining of the pain, "are you on steroids?" glaring to the towering man who wasn't hurt and not a strip of clothing out of place, his menacing stare caught her off guard, almost scaring her.

He smirked at her, "Nah sweetheart, all natural,"

"You should come with a bright yellow sign," clenching her teeth, lightly rocking back and forth to the pain, "I rather run into traffic!"

He looked at her, his smirk fading, "Nobody told you to run at full speed,"

"I was late for class," staring at his unusual hair color.

"Like I sa-" He looked back at her, staring at her as she stared at him, "Is there something on my face?"

"N-no…I'm just…cool hair color," she was in a daze now.

"Heh, you're the first,"

She stood up now getting closer to him. His body didn't move but his eyes followed the awestruck woman.

"Is it dyed?" she asked fully amaze.

"No,"

She gasped, still holding her shoulder, "You're a liar," without his consent she lifted her unscathed arm and ran her fingers through his soft blue hair, "It's so soft," a sparkle in her eyes.

He stomached the woman's touch even though it annoyed him, "You're not from around here huh?"

"How you figure?" her fingers still weaved in his distinctive locks.

"Not everyone go up to a guy they don't know an put their fingers in their hair,"

"Well to be frank, you're the guy I bumped into," she laughed still playing in his hair, "besides I think you like it,"

He smirked, "where ya from?"

She stared at his eyes on her, "The U.S,"

"Really?"

"It's not what it's cracked up to be," laughing again, "I just moved here yesterday morning,"

Grimmjow pulled away from her hand to gather her things off the floor, "Got a name?"

"Aleya…Aleya Shinel, but you can call me Le" her hand still where his hair was; she looked to him, "it's okay you don't have to do that," smiling at him.

"The names Grimmjow and I don't do this often so be grateful that I'm even helping you," he stood up with her books and papers in hand, "I'll show you the nurses office,"

She lifted her wounded arm to help him but flinched instead.

He snorted, about to laugh, "What were you trying to do idiot?"

She grabbed her shoulder again, shivering from the ache, "I…was trying to…help you,"

He smirked again, "Dumbass," walking by her, "I'm on steroids, remember? I don't need help with this,"

She laughed walking behind him.

After her first encounter with him she followed him the whole school year, even though he countered to her actions she still followed him figuring him out. Rumors even started that they were together which brought a lot of bad attention to Le from the girls of Karakura High, even some girls from out of the school. Grimmjow saw this as an opportunity; she was the repellent from the stalkers, secret admirers, and school girls who would surprise him out of nowhere trying to hug him. After their first school year together, and random running into each other during her visits into downtown; he finally introduced her to his friends, thus meeting Renji, Ichigo, Ulquiorra, and Rukia. She later met Szayel, Chad, Uryu, and Orhime.

Le's grateful to have met Grimmjow; she liked where they are now. She and Renji remained friends while her and Grimmjow's affiliation with each other was still rather dubious. She started shaking her head side to side; attempting to erase the image of him and her ever being together; although the thought made her smile.

"You gonna stand there all day?" Renji spoke pausing the game.

She looked to Renji; still leant against the framework of the doorway, she then looked to Grimmjow who stared at her over his shoulder, she felt like she stood in the face of her crush. Her throat tightened in an instant. She continued looking into his azure eyes, naively blushing to his stare, "You alright Le?" Renji spoke again shattering the dreamy state she was in.

"Y-yeah," what was that all about? "You know where Orihime is at?"

"She's in the bathroom still," Grimmjow spoke, still looking intently into her soul

She looked back at him almost becoming trapped into his web. Le pushed off the door frame just before she was encased. Walking down the hall next to the stairs; she heard Renji ask him, "What was that all about?" She heard his reply which only caused her to smile. She then turned to her left into another hall, standing in front of her destination. Orihime's voice echoed throughout the bathroom, "No…I know…sighs…that's why I'm here…I have nothing to wear for tonight!"

Without knocking Le waltz in seeing Orhime over the sink soaked talking on the phone

Orihime almost dropped her phone into the sink; attempting to catch the handset before it struck face-first into the marble flooring, "Aleya please!...don't scare me like that!"

"Hmm?" examining Orihime's bloomed expression, "why are you so jumpy?"

"You could've knocked," carrying the phone back to her ear.

"But I did knock,"

"No, you just walked in,"

"Ahh lighten up," waving it off.

"HELLOOOO!" a voice yelled from the phone.

"Oh yes Rukia….I'll call you back in a few…I hope Harribel doesn't make you wear something too revealing," she squealed into the phone while Le laughed behind her.

Orihime said her goodbyes and hung up the phone, still saturated in water she turned to Le, "Le-san, I need your help,"

Le looked around her, "Umm I think I know that much Orhime," she laughed grabbing her wrist, "come on let's get you changed,"

They ran through the hall to the kitchen so Orhime wouldn't leave that much of a watery trail on the cherry oak hardwood floor, running up the steps as Le almost fell on her face, bursting with laughter. The duo made it to her room to see Ichigo still figuring out the rubix cube.

"You won't be able to finish that, give up already," indolently speaking.

"I will rule this-" Ichigo snapped the words before he seen Orihime in the door way, "Hey Inoue," his voice calm now.

She gave a light wave sheepishly, smiling at his aggravated demeanor, "Good evening Kurosaki-kun,"

Le walked to her closet grabbing a pair of black sweats and a black tee-shirt, "You…in," throwing the clothes to Orihime, she looked to Ichigo, "you…out," showing him a light smile.

He smiled back getting up walking to the door, "Don't be too long, Ulquiorra is opening door's at eight, says he got something special for Grimmjow so we all have to be there at that nine,"

"but it's only 6,"

He only smirked closing the door behind him.

Orihime was rattled looking at Le who embraces the man she longed to touch. She couldn't help but feel an ounce of jealousy of the connection they have between them. She was also envious of the bond they had when they weren't intimate. How can I compete with Le? Was all she thought. Ichigo would never look at me the way he sees her.

Unintentionally she started to compare herself to Le. We're built the same…she's just a little bit taller than me…our personalities are different…she's more…charming? Charming that me? Is that what Kurosaki-kun likes?

"Does that work for you?"

Le's voice intruded her thoughts, waking her out of her inner dispute, "U-Um sure, where should I change?"

"Uh in here…that's why I kicked Ichigo out…duh!" she laughed.

"EH?" she was taken aback but her response, "B-but you'll see me,"

"We both have the same thing!"

This was a lost cause, without any further discussion Orihime started undressing. Her wet clothes plopped to the floor as she stepped out them. Le threw her a towel to dry off before putting on the clothes she gave her.

"Wait…these aren't yours!" holding the sweats up.

"No, those are Grimmjow's," Le saw the reluctance in Orihime's eyes, "don't worry they're clean, I made sure of that," she laughed.

She felt soothed now, "How man-"

"Enough to last a life time," bringing Orihime's clichéd question to an end before she spoke that last of it.

Orihime hurled the tee shirt over her head, bringing the black fabric over her braless top.

"You coming?" Le grabbed her wet clothes putting them in her empty hamper.

"Where to?"

"To dry your clothes crazy…Where else?" Le laughed

"No, I'll stay up here,"

"Cool," Le walked out closing the door behind her.

Orihime sat on Le's large bed, looking around her medium sized spacious room. Her bedroom is cosy with wooden flooring a classic king size bed and cabinet, silky golden curtains and a small sofa that sticks to the window; accentuated with a drawing of a Lion that hung over her headboard, a bookcase of photos, and a shoe rack full of sneakers, heels, and boots. She walked over to the bookcase, looking at Le's past in the U.S and here. Seeing Le dressed up as a Lion with a gang of people who was also dressed in a feline family. Must be Halloween in the U.S.

Then she saw a picture of them two together, Le held orhime side of her face, giving her a friendly kiss on the cheek. She saw a picture of Grimmjow and Ichigo arguing while Renji posed in the background; a spatula in hand. She saw Rukia sitting with Harribel and herself legs crossed drinking soda with Le's finger halfway in the picture.

Fun times. Thinking to herself.

And now here she is, fretting over Ichigo and Le being together. Should I say something about this? Or should I just leave it alone?

She was more scared of her and Le ending their sisterly bond than her feelings possibly being rejected. Her mind was racing. She couldn't think of anything to say if she was to confront Le about her feelings towards Ichigo. Maybe now is not the right time to do so, after the party I suppose.

Its 7:18 p.m right now and both showers were in use Ichigo left to get ready and Le had the use the bathroom whereas Orihime already showered; busy finding an outfit that suited her. Le held her uterus from releasing the stored liquid; filling her bladder.

"Does this look nice to go out in?" Orihime held a pair of jeans and a short sleeve buttoned top that ruffled on the sides.

"For church yeah…" struggling to keep her poise.

Orihime brought the clothing away from her face gawking at the suffering woman.

"I'm kidding Inoue," she threw herself back on the bed holding herself still; she was about to burst, "anything…would…look nice…on you,"

"Are you okay?" Orihime asked hanging the clothes back where they were.

"No," Le yelped, "I have to pee…badly,"

Orhimie laughed at the animated woman, "I'm sure he'll be out soon,"

"Depending on which…one is in the bathroom,"

"Well go in there he won't see you if there's a shower curtain,"

"There isn't one…" straining now.

"Oh," was all Orhime can say

"Fuck this!" jumping up then dashing to the bathroom down the hall. She checked if the door was locked but it wasn't; immediately assuming Renji was using this bathroom. Thank goodness.

"Renji I'm using the bathroom, so don't come out yet,"

She couldn't see the blue hair behind the fogged glass doors under the rain shower.

"You had all this time to use it and yet you didn't?"

The water stopped.

"Hey!" she shouted.

And out step a divinity; like he was Poseidon himself.

Le sat on the throne she desired throwing her head back, sighing of the euphoric relief as she realesed the warm liquid. She opened her eyes to see him drying his hair; nothing on his waist.

Her eyes traveled from his lips, to his collar bone, his muscle-bound pecs, his ripped six pack, and stopped herself from going any further from his v-line.

"The hell are you staring at?" drying his body now.

He smelled so good, almost like an elixir of the green grass taking hold in the dirt, apple blossoms blushing on the branches, and rain. The very essence of the smell relaxed her.

Overlooking that there was a completely naked man in front of her; she opened her eyes. He was still drying himself off looking at her. He rubbed his abs and the muscles flexed to the towels touch; imagining her very hands rubbing on them, ascending to his pecs.

She hurriedly put her face in her hands. I will not fantasize about this prick.

"Tell me when you're done drying so I can wipe myself,"

He smirked, waiting a minute before standing before her, "I'm done,"

She removed her hands and he was standing right in front of her, nothing covering his chiseled form. She couldn't help but look at his V-line that led down to what would have her running in fear. This man has a monster!

She gasped the wrong way causing her to cough. He's…oh my goodness I can't deal.

She knew her face was flushed at the scenery before her. He laughed walking to the sink wrapping the towel around his waist leaving her to look at his long toned legs and he flawless bump. Perfect ass too?

Le was still stuck in amazement. There's no such thing as a perfect man but after taking in the scene that took place before her; he convinced her. No wonder why girls were lusting for him left and right. She reached for a piece of soft material, regretting that she ever came in the bathroom as she visualized her excitement in the tissue. No! dropping the tissue in the toilet and her head between her knees. Not me too.

She instantly hopped in the shower grabbing a fresh wash cloth and towel from the cabinet above the marble platform sink. "At least there's still hot water,"

An hour went by making Le the last one to get dressed. Orihime lounged on her bed looking through her pictures in her photo book. She always stopped at the elderly man that Le hugged so close to her and an older woman, bout the same age as the man, right next to her. Orhime smiled at happy the three looked.

"That's what you're wearing?" Le interrupted her train of thought again; walking in the door and dropping her towel by her feet again.

Orihime looked at herself, "What's wrong with it?"

Le looked back in her closet pulling out a short transparent lace dress, a black string underwear bikini, and a strapless bra. Setting the clothes on the bed, "come try this on," handing her a black floral cropped top corset, and a pair of black skinny jeans.

"Eh?" Orhime jumped back, running away from the clothes to the other side of the bed, "I'm not wearing that!"

"Tuh! I'll be damned if you're wearing that!"

"No I will not wear that! And you can't make me!" Orihime readied herself to run

All the while Le smiled; internally praying.

Forgive me for what I'm about to do.

=3 I hope you enjoyed it.

Let me know what you like/dislike ^_^