A/N- Please leave a review telling me how I can improve, or any errors I made. I will try to write characters as in character as possible, but I might have to bend them a little for the sake of the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach

Warning: Violent content

Chapter 13

A Wish is Made, the Rescue Begins

"I do," Aizen said. Tousen asked Orihime. She hesitated, looking around hopefully, but eventually gave up. "I do," she said bitterly, hate lacing her tone. Aizen ignored it. And then he kissed her. Somewhere in the far distance, Ulquiorra felt the spiritual pressure of a certain orange-haired deputy Soul Reaper.

The kiss was soft and innocent, but it still made Orihime feel violated. The more time went on, the more she felt resentful towards Aizen. Not for kidnapping her, or even forcing her to marry him. The strange thing, she hated him because of what he was like, not because of what he had done.

Ulquiorra was watching the kiss, and Orihime couldn't find a hint of emotion on his face. He looked empty, like he had when she was first getting to know him. Stark looked thoughtful, not really paying any attention to her.

The kiss broke, and an awkward applause went thought the crowd. Aizen whispered something, but she didn't catch it. Orihime swallowed. She was married. It was over. For the first time in as long as she could remember, Orihime was mad at Ichigo. What was taking him so long? A thought struck her. What if he wasn't coming? What if he and Rukia were back on earth, celebrating being together without worrying about her feelings.

Next time, Orihime, I will definitely protect you. No, he would come. Even if he didn't love her like he loved Rukia, she was still his friend. He would rescue her just the same. She put a look of cold confidence on her face. She would endure.

Ulquiorra raised an eyebrow at her. My eye sees everything, nothing can escape it. Did he see through her shell, into her inner anguish? Of course he did. He was the master of cold shells, after all.

"Now, my precious wife, what is it you wish for?" Aizen asked her in a jovial tone that carried a dark undertone. She felt embarrassed all the sudden.

"I have to say it in front of everyone?" she asked in a voice that came out smaller than she intended.

He smiled condescendingly. "Of course, my dear. That way, you can be sure I will fulfill it."

She highly doubted that. She saw what was going on. In front of everyone, she wouldn't wish for what she needed, like what Okashii had suggested, and she would end up wishing for her friends' safety, which wouldn't do anything. He had trapped her. She hurriedly ran over other ideas in her head. It would be suspicious to ask for a week-long vacation to the real world with Grimmjow and Ulquiorra. She wondered where Okashii was now, now that she needed her. No voice in her head, no sight of her friend.

"I wish for… a chance to say goodbye to my friends if they come here for me," she said finally. A dark delight seemed to flash in Aizen's eyes, and she wished she could take back the words. Why hadn't she wished for a puppy?

"Very well, darling," he said. "If your friends come, we will lead them to you so you may say goodbye."

He slid a ring onto her finger, and she slid one on his. She was sure they were beautiful, but she couldn't see it. All she saw was a chain binding her to him.

()()()()()()()()()()()()

Grimmjow sat in his room, bored out of his mind. He had been uninvited to the wedding, on the grounds that he had raped the bride. Aizen wasn't an idiot. He would be able to tell if Orihime had actually been raped.

"Ow. Ow. Oh dear god, it hurts."

He stiffened. Did he just hear that in his head? "Who the hell are you?" he demanded out loud.

"So… painful. Damn it, Matt."

"Elizabeth?" he asked, feeling very confused.

"The one and only, love."

"How the hell are you talking to me? You're dead!" he yelled in confusion.

"Inside voices, please. You have no idea how bad of a headache making a link with someone as powerful as you gives me."

"A link?" he asked.

"Yes, that is my ability. I can create links where I can communicate with people from their minds and see and hear whatever they do. The thing is, though, the more powerful the person, the more painful it is to maintain the link. And you're really powerful, love."

"You never mentioned this while you were my fraccion," he said. "And stop calling me love."

"Whatever, jerk."

"Which brings us back to the question," Grimmjow said in an annoyed voice," how are you talking to me while you're dead?"

"… I'm in Soul Society."

"Are you a soul reaper?" he asked.

"No... I'm just a soul who maintained a bit of my old powers."

"Then how are we talking, if you only maintained a bit of your power?"

"I, um, sort of borrowed some power from this soul reaper guy."

"What does that mean?"

"I bit him and sucked his energy out. I think I took too much though, because now he's unconscious."

"That's weird even for you," he claimed. "This is just great. You're our strongest support at the moment, and you had to go die. Idiot."

"Actually, you guys have another ally you don't even know about yet."

"And who would that be?"

"I don't want to tell you."

"Why the hell not?" he yelled.

"Inside voices, damn it! If I tell you now, it will ruin it."

"I hate you. You know that right?"

"Yeah, well, go jack off asshole. I have to go, anyway. I need to be at the wedding. I've had a link with Yammy since before I even died. That's how I stay in the know about Espada matters. Good thing he's not powerful."

"Plan on dropping by my head again?"

"No. I'm focusing on Abby from now on. Oh, and tell the White King that if he's doing what I think he's doing, that he's doing a good job. Bye."

"Wait, what? You mean Ulquiorra? What is he doing?" There was no response. Grimmjow seethed. He honestly hated her sometimes.

()()()()()()()()()()()()

Orihime had left the wedding ceremony and was resting in her room. She had changed out of her dress for the time being. The 'honeymoon' would begin in a couple of hours, much to her chagrin. This was the last time she would be in this room. Soon she would live in the same chambers as Aizen. That was a truly scary thought.

She stared at the ring. It really was beautiful, she noticed now. It had a thin gold band, with engraved design in it. A cluster of fire opal surrounded a large diamond, with winked and sparkled in the moonlight. This ring's value would be huge back on earth, that was for sure.

She heard a loud crash, and she immediately tensed. There was a dark spiritual pressure, so rough and fierce it weighed down on her. It was near her room, and it felt dangerous. Another crash, this time closer to her, and a scream of pain from what sounded like a young girl. The door to her room exploded, and she cover herself with a shield as the pieces flew at her.

Her eyes squeezed shut, reflex rather than need. When she opened them, she nearly fainted. Standing before her, in all his glory, was Ichigo Kurosaki. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't talk, but that was okay. This moment didn't need words.

She broke the orange shield in front of her, and rushed towards him. She was unspeakably surprised when he backhanded her across the face, sending her to the ground. She held her hurt cheek, staring at shock at Ichigo. His eyes shone in a dark light, and she could swear his irises shifted to gold, looking like a hollow. She shrank back.

"W…Why?" She asked, her voice breaking. She followed his gaze, which was on her ostentatious ring. She felt the blood drain from her face.

"Who?" Ichigo demanded roughly, his hang gripping his unsheathed zanpakuto.

She started to cry. "Aizen… He made me do it!" she cried. Through her tears, she saw Ichigo's face darken.

"Aizen?" he yelled, pure hate lacing his voice. She sincerely hoped it was directed at Aizen.

"I didn't have choice," she tried to explain. Ichigo silenced her with a glare. He stepped toward her, until her towered over her. She was still on the floor.

"You are so stupid!" he screamed. "Do you even know what happened? Rukia got hurt while we were here. Rukia got hurt trying to rescue you, and you've been busy marrying the enemy? What else did you do with him?"

"Rukia… is hurt?" she asked in horror. No one should have to get hurt for her sake. "I can heal her. Is she near?"

"Like hell I would let Rukia near you! You'd probably kill her."

She shook her head fervently. "I would never!" she promised, her eyes begging his trust.

"Shut up! You're an enemy now. You really are a traitor. Rukia got hurt because of you!" He grabbed her by her collar, dragging her up to eye level.

She didn't know what to do. He had finally come for her, a dream come true, and it had turned into a nightmare.

He shook her roughly. "Haven't you ever heard of resisting? Refusing their demands? Courage?"

"Put her down!"

Ichigo and Orihime looked at the door, where a girl stood, clutching her bleeding shoulder. Orihime realized with horror that it was Okashii.

"Back for more?" Ichigo sneered.

Orihime paled. The scream of pain…

"Put her down!" Okashii yelled again, her voice strained.

Ichigo tossed Orihime to the ground, and advanced toward her friend. Orihime watched as the events unfolded almost in slow motion: Ichigo swinging his sword. Okashii trying to dodge. The blade connecting with her leg. Her falling to the ground, howling in pain. Ichigo poising Zangetsu for the final blow. The final blow being delivered.

Orihime screamed.

Ichigo pulled his blade, still in shikai, out of Okashii's limp body. There was blood everywhere. Orihime could believe her eyes. Why was Ichigo being like this?

"You where always in the way," Ichigo said softly. "Anyone can heal, and we needed fighters. We never should have let you come to Soul Society. But we wanted to indulge you, because you're just a ditzy girl who's been chasing me for who knows how long. It was a mistake. You are a mistake."

Grief crashed through her, making her entire body rack with sobs. The truth was raining down on her, and it burned her like acid. Why? She already knew everything he was saying. But he was the one saying them. He was the person she had wanted to love her, even if she didn't lover herself. But it was clear that wasn't going to happen. She wasn't lovable.

Lord Aizen thinks you are beautiful and precious. It seems he was alone in that judgment.

"Please believe me," she begged. "I really am your friend."

"No."

One word, only two letters, stabbed her in the heart. It tore at her insides, leaving her bleeding all the hurt out. She couldn't handle this. She couldn't handle herself.

"Okay," she whispered hoarsely. "But please tell Rukia that I'm so sorry. Tell her she's been an amazing friend." She lifted her head and looked him in the eye. "You've been an amazing friend."

He raised his blade. "Don't ever say Rukia's name again, you traitorous bitch!"

She flinched. He moved closer, his sword shining malevolently in the pale moonlight. She didn't want to die by his hands. She wouldn't die by his hand. She placed her hands on her hairpins and chanted," Mutsuten Itenshun, I reject." Her shield swirled around her, and she saw Ichigo's eyes widen. Before she flashed out of the room she whispered," Goodbye."

()()()()()()()()()()()()

Incidentally, she landed in Aizen's room. He looked surprised to see her, but he looked more worried when he saw her tears. "What happened?" he asked softly, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"Just the pain of saying goodbye," she lied. She buried her face into his shoulder.

Unbeknownst to her, Aizen smiled widely and wickedly. "I'm so sorry," he whispered in her ear. Her response was muffled by his shoulder.

She lifted her head and looked him in the eyes. He stared back.

"What happens now?" she repeated.

"You said goodbye, and now we must remove them from Los Noches," he said slowly. "If it would comfort you, we won't use lethal force."

She blinked then smiled. "Thank you so much!" She wrapped her arms around him, taking great comfort in the fact that her friends could leave alive.

"Bear in mind that when the war comes, we will have no choice but to fight them."

She nodded. "I know, I'm just happy they get to live a little longer."

He looked deep into her eyes. "Are you ready for our honeymoon?"

She swallowed. Was she? She had no reason not to be. Ichigo wasn't going to save her. She would be here forever and ever, never growing older. She nodded. She had nothing to lose.

He kissed her sweetly, and she felt nothing. She kissed him back anyway. She didn't care anymore. All hope had been lost, so why resist? She was married now. It was okay for married people to do stuff like this. She had no reason to feel guilty, so she wouldn't.

"Hey Orihime," Okashii's voice chirped in her mind, "How are y—Oh my god! What the hell are you going?"

"How are you still talking to me?" Orihime thought. "You died!"

"Yeah… So, you know about that?"

How wouldn't she know? She had been there. "It's all my fault," she thought miserably.

"Don't feel bad. I don't blame you."

"Yeah," she thought," but you still died trying to protect me."

"Sure, but I don't mind. Being dead isn't that bad, except I still need to find somewhere to hide this unconscious dude…"

"What?" she gasped out loud on accident. Aizen stared at her quizzically. "What are you doing?" she covered up lamely.

"I know it feel strange to you," he said slowly," but trust me. I won't hurt you." She nodded.

"What unconscious guy?" she thought.

"Not important. What the hell are you doing?"

"I'm having my honeymoon with my husband," she thought.

"Yeah, I can see that. Does no one listen to my advice anymore?"

"I couldn't follow you advice!" she thought. "People were watching!"

"Yeah, well I'm watching now, and it's disgusting. Do you have the slightest idea how old he is?"

"Would you mind leaving?" she thought. "I don't feel comfortable with you here."

"No way! I'm not going to let you do this! I have a promise to keep, you know."

"What promise?" she thought.

"I'll tell you later. I'm leaving, but this isn't over! I will stop this from happening!"

()()()()()()()()()()()()

Meanwhile:

Ichigo ran through the halls of Los Noches, a young arrancar named Nell hanging from his shoulder. He felt like Kenpachi.

He ran through the maze-like hallways, wondering where Orihime would be kept. Would it be behind that gray door? That other gray door? Or maybe she was behind one of the other millions of gray doors in this place. He seriously hoped everyone else was having better luck than her was. The stark white walls were giving him a major headache.

He rounded yet another corner and came into a large room that was almost completely empty. Almost because in the corner stood a tall figure.

"Yo," Grimmjow said flippantly.

Ichigo grabbed his sword and drew it defensively in front of him. Nell stared in fear. "Thexta Ethpada, Mathter Grimmjow…" she whispered.

"Get back Nell! I'll protect you!" Ichigo promised. Nell slid off his shoulder and retreated to the corner opposite of Grimmjow.

"Yeah, this all wonderful and crap, but I'm not actually here to fight you," Grimmjow said in the same offhand tone.

Ichigo blinked in confusion. "Huh?"

"Okay, I'll try to use monosyllabic words. I. AM. NOT. HERE. TO. FIGHT. YOU."

Ichigo was still confused, but he got the feeling he was being insulted. "Then what do you want, Grimmjow?"

Grimmjow pushed himself off the wall. Ichigo tensed, but Grimmjow just walked to the other side of the room and hit the wall. The segment opened, revealing a passage way. "If you want to rescue Orihime, then follow me. And you sure as hell better keep up, because I'm not stopping."

He disappeared down the dark secret corridor.

()()()()()()()()()()()()

A/N- Sorry this chapter is so short, rushed, and filled with mistakes. This week I was really sick. I also found out my dad has cancer, and needs surgery, so I haven't been able to find the words to write. But I made you guys a promise, and I'm going to keep it. Thank you so very much for reading this far. It means the world to me. Please leave a review.