Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach

Thank you to those people who have read and/or reviewed this work. For the record I'm planning to cut some segments and publish them as seperate stories at a later date to make the plot for this story flow faster. For those who are stupid like Ichigo and don't know what reiraku are or how they work, go watch episode 9 or whatever it is and Ishida will explain them to you.

Chapter 7: Reasons I

The Reiou sat in the tree outside of Orihime's residence, as he had done every day for the last three months. He had kept his presence well hidden from any visual or reiraku-based detection, yet he did not bother today. Knowing that it was the last time he would be here filled him with some strange emotion, something that he considered similar to nostalgia or material loss. He could have merely left, now that the pretense of his identity as Kemeto-kun, a transfer student currently attending Karakura high school, was shattered by the actions he had taken earlier that day. For some reason, however, he had decided to spend one last night here, so as to have the chance to talk to Orihime. 'Taking into account the situation, as well as her position, it will probably be beneficial to me to explain a few things to her. Time to wait for the princess to return, I suppose.'

And he reclined, as to suffer the long wait for her return, and meditate upon his words.

It was already dark out when Orihime was finally returning to her house. After getting help for Ichigo and riding with him to the hospital in an ambulance, she had meet up with a concerned pair in the waiting room: her classmates Chad and Mizuiro. The were concerned if not shocked at Ichigo's condition, and proceeded to inform her of the similar situation that had also put Keigo here in the hospital. The three of them visited Ichigo and Keigo, who were both sleeping, and, after ensuring their friends' medical stability and personal safety, left the hospital for their homes.

While she was walking home, Orihime had time to think about all the things she was too frantic to be concerned with before. The unforeseen, violent nature of her normally quiet classmate had shocked her, and she was very confused about the whole situation.

As she approached her home, however, she began to notice a familiar reiatsu, one that she had felt earlier that day. She began walking more determinedly, eventually breaking into running, towards her home, knowing that things would be made much clearer to her once she arrived, one way or another.

He continued to wait, at peace now that he had made up his mind. 'And not a moment too soon.'

"I'm not accustomed to letting people who attack my friends rest on my property, you know."

He turned to regard the girl standing in front of the second story window.

"Of course you're not, my princess, yet I think you'll be quite pleased to hear what I have to say regardless. Or if not pleased, at least enlightened."

This is, of course, was what she had been expecting.

"All right. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Meet me on the roof. This is not how I wish to deliver this important information to you."

They were both sitting, side by side, Orihime as close as she cared to be, yet close enough to be in range of hearing. Kemeto stared dreamily at the stars.

"First of all, I'm not a classmate of yours, I'm the spirit king, master of soul society."

She hadn't been expecting this, and it showed.

"…which should let you understand how it was that I so handily defeated someone you admire as a fighter."

Well that was one of the questions answered.

"Secondly, I'm here with regards to you. In other words, at least in these circumstances you're more important to me than any other human. Therefore I decided to heed you're words and restrain myself from dealing a final blow."

"But why did you attack Ichigo in the first place?" asked Orihime, her anger being slowly replaced by even more confusion.

"He attacked me actually. I'd probably be more content now if that fight had never happened. The events that led up to his challenging attitude," he sighed deeply and inhaled, " were exactly the same as the confrontation I had with Ichigo."

"I don't understand."

"In both cases, it was the arrogance and willfulness of humans that led those two to ruin, as it does for so many. While it is human nature to feel these things, I sometimes wonder why they can't keep it in check."

He turned to look at her.

"Regardless, what you must understand is that they forced my hand. Please do not think badly of me because of what happened, for I regret it now as much as you do."

Orihime didn't know what to say. He wasn't at all like she imagined. She couldn't hate anybody, it wasn't in her nature, yet the feeling of enmity she had harbored towards him moments earlier had now faded. Unsure of how to proceed, she decided to treat him like a stranger and donned her usual cheerful demeanor.

"So…I guess since you're not really Kemeto-kun I can't call you that any more. What should I call you then?"

"Reiou or Tono-sama will suffice for now."

"Reiou-sama, huh, that must be an interesting job."

"Indeed it is, now that I've met you."

"What do you mean?" she asked, confused.

"The reason I came here was with regards to you. You're power will soon mean many things to many different people, myself included. I wish to ensure that the wrong people aren't closing in on your acquisition faster than I am."

She looked downwards, obviously upset.

"Please don't misunderstand me. I don't mean to refer to you as an object, yet I imagine it would be difficult for anyone who hasn't gotten to know you as a person to seek your power and not view you as an object."

His voice became solemn and quieter.

"I didn't want to be like that. That's one of the reasons I'm here."

She turned to look at him. He reciprocated the action.

"Regardless of my intentions, I cannot stay here now. After tonight, I'm going to have to leave for my palace."

"I can't really picture you as a friend yet, too many things have just happened. But for some reason I'm sad to see you leave so soon after I've started getting to know you," the young girl replied sullenly.

"Don't worry, this separation will not last long."

He stood up and motioned her to do the same. He proceeded to lead her to her bedroom.

"Certain events will conspire to see us united again soon, and you will be able to ask of me any questions you still wish answered. For now just sleep," he said, as she got ready for bed.

He returned to his tree and reclined.

'And let me watch over you, Ore no Hime."

To whom it may concern:

Sorry about the long break since my last post. I don't really have an excuse, but I'm currently working on the next chapter, which is already longer than any of my previous chapters. I really thought that this chapter was too short and a little bit terse, so I am writing the next chapter as a direct continuation of this one. It's basically the opposite approach to this chapter and I'm quite pleased with the result so far. Hopefully, it will be up tomorrow.