- THE CONNECTION -

CHAPTER 22

It was loud at the forecourt of the estate. Aizen was standing outside, watching a big truck arrive. "We're here, boss!" Yammy yelled, a monstrous grin overflowing with overconfidence appearing on his smug. The truck was parked in a way that the back of the truck was facing Aizen. The vehicle barely came to a standstill when a man was dragged out. Bright light blue hair and tanned skin were now visible. Two deep piercing matching blue eyes immediately met Aizen's eyes. The being slapped the hands away of the guards holding him.

"Aizen-sama, upon your request we have brought back Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. We found him in the Kuchiki kingdom, bantering around bars and with several different women." Starrk reported back, looking rather uncomfortable. A total opposite of his partner Yammy. He hated bringing back refugees to the estate. Starrk was an easygoing person who pledged loyalty because he just didn't want any mess with Aizen, and because of his little sister.

"I'm glad you decided to return, Grimmjow. Home is always the best place, don't you agree?" The notorious hitman from the Kuchiki kingdom growled and spit in front of Aizen's feet. "It looks like he forgot his manners. Not surprising as you stayed in the Kuchiki kingdom. Those people have no manners whatsoever. Must've learned it from the best." Aizen shrugged, his eyes turning cold after speaking while looking back at Grimmjow. He lifted his left feet and stomped on the male's face, causing blood to flow from Grimmjow's nostrils. The area around his nose and mouth bruising.

"Don't forget your place, kitty."

Aizen walked away, signaling Ulquiorra to take over. The male with pale skin approached Grimmjow and pulled on his chains. "Stand up kitten." Grimmjow clenched his teeth and pulled his body back so that he wouldn't be dragged by Ulquiorra. "Let go of me, freak."

Ulquiorra let go of the chains, which made Grimmjow fall back on the ground, grunting while hitting the ground. "I see you're still licking Aizen's butt hole, aren't you?" Grimmjow laughed while feeling blood trickling down his mouth. This was nothing compared to his past. "I'm licking no one's behind. But unlike a certain someone, I have too much self-respect to scoop this low. Running away because of self-pity isn't a pretty sight." Ulquiorra watched Grimmjow with his ever cold eyes. I

"You're so full of yourself Cifer!" Grimmjow screamed as he lunged his body forward, trying to hit Ulquiorra. His opponent, however, dodged him with ease. "Grimmjow, if you know what is good for you, why don't you just follow my orders and who knows? Maybe Aizen-sama will reinstate your post. You're the only number 6 after all."

"Shut up! I don't need your pity nor your help. Just get me the heck out of this place!" Grimmjow pulled Ulquiorra by his cloak, his eyes spitting fire. "I refuse to work for horrendous people like you and Aizen." Grimmjow's words made Ulquiorra sigh, the male in front of him was now beyond pitiful and it pained him to see even a rival hit rock bottom. "Is being a hitman really that noble? Just look at yourself, pitiful."

"Bring him to his quarters and make sure there is someone to stand watch. I'm not sure this creature can decide what is in his own best interest." Ulquiorra ordered the nearby guards, who pulled Grimmjow away from him. "Don't think you can tie me down, Ulquiorra! No one can tame a jaguar!"

"I can't believe it's been a month. Every day is still pretty much a dream. Holding Kamari in my arms, watching him eat, play and learn new things each day. It's a blessing!" Three females were seated together in a large dining area. It was now autumn, and each passing day grew colder. One of the reasons why Masaki, Orihime and Tatsuki were seated inside holding their tea party. Tatsuki was granted permission to stay in the castle upon Orihime's request. Immediately, the girl was treated as one of their own. Never in a million lifetimes had Tatsuki dare to dream of being taken in by the Kurosaki family. She even felt guilty now for her immature rambling concerning the royal family.

"It truly is! Now that things are peaceful, it's time to count your blessings." Masaki replied, taking a sip of her freshly brewed Camille tea. "How are things going with Ichigo?" Tatsuki asked in a concerned voice. She didn't have a chance to ask her about Orihime's husband before. "What about him? Are you guys still facing trouble?" Masaki wasn't aware of the situation that took place before finding Kamari. Orihime wasn't quite ready to ruin everybody's happiness. Many nights she contemplated whether she would disclose Ichigo's behavior and secret to his mother. What if they would believe Ichigo's words and actions over her own? But seeing Masaki taking time for both Orihime and Kamari, she decided to confess the truth.

"We're doing… better. I can feel that he's trying to change and trust me more. Our relation isn't perfect but we're getting there." Orihime's voice changed from cheerful into a quiet stern one. Masaki, who easily read the air, frowned and shifted her attention to the friend of her daughter-in-law. "Arisawa-san, do you mind telling me why you asked Orihime that particular question?" The raven haired tomboy stared to freak out and looked at her friend for help. She didn't mean to awaken a conversation Orihime wasn't ready to have, but Tatsuki was also upset that Ichigo hurt Orihime in the way that he did.

"Ehhh… well." The female stammered, Orihime coming to her rescue. "It's okay Tatsuki-chan. I wasn't sure whether I should tell you this, Masaki-san but I've made up my mind." Orihime disclosed the entire truth of Ichigo's behavior and while she watched the female in front of her change, she didn't felt guilty but rather liberated by the story that was pressing on her chest.

"I can't believe my son done something this terrible to his own lovely wife. I will have him put in a dungeon for a month!" Now Tatsuki could understand why Orihime had been hyping about Ichigo's mother the entire time she was in the castle. Masaki truly had a heart of gold and didn't hesitate to take Orihime's side. "I'm ashamed of the behavior of my son. I apologize Orihime, I truly do."

Orihime shook her head, placing her hand over Masaki's. "Masaki-san, you didn't know either. It's just a choice he made on his own behalf. I am still processing everything and forgiveness doesn't come easy but I do love him. That is why we're trying to get better."

"What about your contact with Aizen Sosuke? Is that man still keeping in contact with you?" Masaki knew that name all too well, but unlike her son, she did not want to rush herself into unnecessary worry. Orihime was a smart woman after all. "He hasn't reached out ever since we came back." Orihime smiled, but behind her smile was a faint part in her brain recalling their agreement.

"Six months, that's what I give you to divorce Kurosaki Ichigo."

Was she really going to find a way to divorce her husband? Things were going far from downhill according to her. They even shared more intimate moments than a few months ago. "I see. As long as he doesn't bother you, I'm fine if you keep in contact with him. He has helped you tremendously, getting Kamari back and making sure you're doing well. His letters even helped you cheer up and become yourself again." Masaki's voice brought her back to the present with her mother-in-law and best friend sitting by her side. "Thank you very much. I appreciate your words, Masaki-san." The female stood up and hugged Masaki from behind. At this point, they were basically like a close mother and daughter.

Tatsuki smiled brightly at the interaction. Ever since she could recall knowing Orihime, she had never seen the girl being treated so warm. Her own parents, of course, adored Orihime, but they could never see her as one of her own. But with Masaki things were different. It really looks like her best friend was close to Masaki's heart.

Sora-san, your little sister is alright. I think she finally found that mother figure she had been looking for all these years.

While Orihime was drinking tea with her own party, Ichigo was sitting on the balcony of his office. It was one of his ways to de-stress and let his mind wander to various things. Today his mind was on his one friend that he left behind as a prisoner, Kuchiki Rukia. Since the day they left the Aizen estate, he hasn't been able to look Renji in the eye. Ichigo's parents allowed Renji to stay in the kingdom because he needed refuge from the Kuchiki kingdom and also raised Kamari the past few years. As a thank you, Isshin had requested Renji to become Kamari's personal guard, in agreement with Orihime. Since that day, Renji gave Ichigo the cold shoulder, and he knew exactly why. It is because he didn't choose to save Rukia.

Ichigo just couldn't wrap his mind around it why Renji didn't save Rukia herself. He was a free man and could easily escape with Rukia. What made him hesitate, and why did he expect Ichigo to save her?

Last night Ichigo went back to Kamari's room, not to visit his son but to confront his best friend.

[Flashback]

"Oi, stop ignoring me!" Ichigo pushed Renji to the wall, anger written all over his face. "Why do you keep giving me angry glares? You're blaming me for Rukia, aren't you?" Renji returned to his usual spot and turned his head, acting as if there were no one in front of him. "Fine, you coward!"

Ichigo turned around to walk away, but to his surprise, the male began to speak. "It's not that I blame you, but it's because you can make a difference. I am mad at myself for not being able to rescue Rukia and having to abide to the laws of my superiors. But you, you get away with anything. Why not use your influence to save Rukia? I know your relationship with your wife is not well, but she's in the hands of an Aizen."

"So because I'm an heir and crown-prince you think I can do anything I want? You don't even know what it is to walk a mile in my shoes! What will the people of my country think if I go down there and save some heir from a kingdom that has a long family feud going on between us?! I already played along with your kidnapping scheme, hiding things from Orihime. I won't do it again. Rukia knows my stance and doesn't hold it against me, then why should you?"

Renji rubbed his neck, gritting his teeth. "I just don't get it. Why do you always do everything Rukia asks but when it comes to my requests you act like you have no power? You know what, I know where to go. I won't bother you anymore."

"I just wish you could understand this for me, Renji. It's not that I do not want to help, it's just complicated. Just like you, I have a whole nation to answer to. They keep me accountable for my actions. The noble families keep me accountable. The situation is so dire that they don't even know about my son and my marriage to Orihime."

"But you have more power! You can even overcome the noble houses with voilence." Renji gritted his teeth, it was now his turn to pull the collar of Ichigo's shirt. "Don't come at me with that."

"If I were in your shoes, I would've fought for the things I truly care for. You just want to hide as a coward."

Renji let go of his friend and walked back to the room of little Kamari. Ichigo's fists now clenched together, feeling the rage rush through his veins.

[present]

Renji's words had bothered him and now he was thinking back at the entire situation. Was he really a coward? Could he make a difference, just like Renji said? He couldn't believe his ears and now it was distracting him from his work.

"Ugh, if I can't even bother to get any work done, I might as well do some training." Ichigo jumped off the railing of the balcony and took his swords from his office before flying off the balcony with his swords, making his way to the woods. The place he always felt safe and home for some reason.

Just like last time, he found a good mediation space near a small stream. The sound of water trickling down soothing his mind. He soon entered his inner world, finding a Zangetsu sitting cross-legged on top of a skyscraper.

"Is this what the future looks like?" Ichigo walked up to the old man, taking a seat in front of him. "Who knows? The future is too far off." The young man snickered at his answer, feeling a bit better being in Zangetsu's presence.

"You're doubting yourself again, son."

"You had to get straight to the point, didn't you?" Unlike all other times, Ichigo decided not to get into his feelings but enter the conversation with light feelings. "It's better than concealing your feelings and not resolving any problems."

"I guess you're right old man. That's why I came to see you. The man that can answer hopefully most of my questions." In Ichigo's inner world, both males were able to drink, eat and sleep, just like the regular world. So Zangetsu was pouring Ichigo a cup of hot tea, while thinking about his next words.

"And why do you believe I can help you solve your questions? I'm a part of you, doesn't that mean you know the answers to your own questions?" He extended his hand and placed the small cup in Ichigo's hand palm.

"It seems that I can't draw my own answers out so I need some help. You're kinda my last hope, old man." Ichigo swallowed the bitter liquid as if it were liquor, coughing as his face darkens. "What the heck is in this?! Do you try to poison me?"

Zangetsu laughed heartily, almost falling back from amusement. "That was a better reaction than I thought. I'm content." Ichigo rolled his eyes, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

"But I did try to poison you. The liquid I gave you will help you discover the truth about some things that might help you." The male cocked a brow, not believing a word his mentor said. "Truth serum, for real? Zangetsu, you're really trying to fool me here."

It didn't take long for Ichigo to suddenly feel drowsy. The view in front of him becoming blurry. "Z-Zangetsu… w-what d-did you do… you bas-bastard?" The male staggered before falling down flat on his face. The older male shaking his head. "See you on the other side, Ichigo."

It didn't take long for Ichigo to wake up in a bright grass field. He groaned as he remembered what had happened. Immediately he shot up, looking around as he was met with beautiful greenery. Each flower and plant was beautifully growing in a garden that was well taken care of. Beside him was Zangtsu, holding his cane. "You finally woke up. Was about time."

"W-Where am I?" The older male ignored Ichigo and decided to walk in front of him. Ichigo took in the sight before running after Zangetsu. "Wait for me, old man!"

The path that Zangetsu took led to the old castle belonging to the Kurosaki kingdom. The castle however rather looked like it was still new, the energy it gave off being vibrant and lively. "Isn't this grandpa's old home?" They arrived at the castle, Ichigo looking up to the sky, barely seeing the ends op the castle reaching the sky.

"That's correct. We're here to witness something special. Let us go inside." The big castle gates opened and revealed a huge ballroom filled with people. In the middle was standing an older male around his 40s with faded orange hair and light-brown eyes. Beside him was a little girl with strawberry-blonde hair and the same brown eyes as Ichigo. As soon as Ichigo laid his eyes upon her, he gasped, recognizing her immediately. "Mom..?" he whispered.

Just when he wanted to turn to Zangetsu, another male appeared beside him with three other males and a little girl. Ichigo's grandpa smiling as he welcomed the other male with arms open wide. "Inoue-san, you came!" The other male with dark hair and gray eyes hugged the initiator of the hug back. "King Kurosaki, I can't believe the day is here. I'm honored by your nomination as the new king of the western district. I do not know if I will do a good job, but I'll definitely try my best."

As the two males were conversing in the middle of the room, another familiar figure caught his eyes. Long hair that reached her back, almost touching her behind as she walked around wearing a long white coat. Her eyes did not display the familiar kindness which took Ichigo a bit aback. He turned to Zangetsu. "Even Unohana is here? Are we in the past?"

"Just keep on watching. The main event is almost here." Zangetsu didn't even bother to look at Ichigo and smoothly intercepted a drink from one of the waiters that walked by. Ichigo curiously peeked over his shoulder, noticing that a little girl with bright auburn hair was scowling at him. Her bright brown eyes piercing through him as if she could actually see him. He pointed at himself as he could feel sweat emerging from her intense stare. Never had he expected that a little girl could make him sweat, it was then that the male beside her with dark hair nudged the girl to catch her attention. "Don't stare at strangers, Amari."

The little girl dressed in a white and pink dress nodded curtly, her eyes going back to the older males standing in the center. Ichigo scratched his neck and chuckled. For some reason, she reminds me of Orihime when she's hungry. Cute. Would our daughter look like that if we had one? Wait… Orihime?

Ichigo turned around to watch the little girl again but Zangetsu patted Ichigo's shoulder. "Look, it's going to start now."

"I gathered you all here today because we have a new king in our midsts!" The entire room started clapping and cheering. "Inoue Azaki has been found worthy of his position after showing his loyalty and potential to the Kurosaki kingdom but most of all to the people of the land! After our wondrous victory, Inoue Azaki has helped us build up the land and showed us that he can show leadership to even the most divided folk among us." Once again, people started cheering and clapping for the man. King Kurosaki took out his sword as Inoue Azaki fell on his knees.

"Inoue Azaki, to finalize your election we need to know whether the relic that you have chosen accepts you and your family as its master." The older Inoue nodded curtly, just like his daughter, and revealed a little blue flower from his chest. The flower was blue and had six petals, which was quite rare as most blue flowers in the country existed only out of four or five petals.

"My king, this is the Shun Shun Rikka. I believe that it carried the heart and feelings of the Inoue family. The Shun Shun Rikka is there to protect the people and help up build the land that was so damaged by the Kuchiki family in the war. The petals of the flower seem frail, just like our people, but the strength that it has is not to be underestimated." King Kurosaki took the flower petal in his hand and examined it carefully.

"Show me if you can yield its power." Inoue Azaki obeyed and came back up, asking everyone to make some space. He slowly stretched for his right arm towards his left hand that held the flower. "Arise Shun Shun Rikka!"

A bright orange light shot up, and a shield appeared before the middle-aged male. "Please throw anything my way." The king didn't hesitate to throw a small bread knife at the man. Just as expected, the shield deflected the knife and made sure it bounced back to the person who threw the knife. "What little nasty shield you have there. It's marvelous." The pregnant silence in the room was relieved by everyone clapping. Even Ichigo was speechless.

"Everyone, King Inoue!" The room started going all out as the music resumed playing. "The coronation for King Inoue will officially be held in the Inoue Kingdom territory. You all are welcome! The people will humbly accept you in our home."

The bright haired male looked at Zangetsu and pulled him aside. "T-That shield… it looks so familiar and who is that man?" Zangetsu remained calm and simply looked up.

"It's time we go to another place. Let us go." Zangetsu walked to the end of the ballroom, went up the stairs and waited until Ichigo caught up. They walked towards one of the rooms and Ichigo looked over the railing back down to the ballroom. His eyes going back one last time to the two small girls who were known giggling and playing together. Yet, before he turned around, the girl from before eyed him. Ichigo quickly shifted his look and followed Zangetsu, who opened the door.

Just like before, they entered a new room, but this one was far different from the other. It revealed a woman in her late 30's, lying half naked on the ground. Her beautiful auburn hair now dishevel and brown from the mud. It looked like she was beaten up as bruises were all over her body. Ichigo adverted his eyes from her form but couldn't help to notice the emptiness in her brown eyes. It brought a shiver to him as he looked for Zangetsu.

"Why are we here?" He whispered, even though he knew they could not hear them. "Just watch. If it becomes too much, just tell me and we'll leave." The prince nodded and pressed his back into one of the walls of the room. It was a small dark room, barely enough for four people.

The door suddenly opened and it revealed a young boy in his teenage years. Blue-black hair and brown eyes, just like the woman on the ground. He quietly entered the room and immediately knelt down before the woman, wiping her bruises gently with a wet rag.

"Get away from me, you pest!" A kick landed into the stomach of the male as he fell down, grunting from the pain. "Don't you know it hurts when you press that filthy rag on my wounds? Go away." The teenage male did as he was told and sat down against the wall, hugging his knees.

"Aren't you sick of living like this?" Ichigo's gaze shifted to the male and was quite surprised by the sudden question, and so it seems he wasn't the only surprised one. The female in front of him looked surprised too. "What are you gaining from hurting me and my sister? She did nothing wrong! Can't we just leave mom? Leave that man behind and start over."

The words that the boy spoke had hit the wrong nerve and the woman sat up while gritting her teeth. "Leave him behind? Fine, I'll leave you all behind because you all make me miserable! Your sister being the main cause for this all!" The woman's words were filled with bitterness and pain, her eyes now holding burning anger. The teenage boy looked at her with sadness, understanding that his words would not change her mind. Ichigo could feel the tension in the room.

"Mom… why? Why do you hate my sister so much? Must you hurt her like this?" The woman with the auburn colored hair started to scream dramatically as she started to hit her head. Immediately, the boy reached out to his mother, trying to make her stop but it resulted in her grabbing his wrist and pushing against the wall. Ichigo flinched as he wanted to do something, but Zangetsu stopped him and shook his head once again. "What is it that you see in her? She has the eyes of that man! I can't bare to look at her. She isn't my child! She's a monster that is hunting me! She's the reason for my misery! Ahhhhh, they keep haunting me."

"You will never understand Sora, no you will never understand. If I leave this hell, I will leave by myself." Sora's eyes were now filled with water as he bit his lip to keep himself in check. His eyes roamed over his mother's face. "Mother… no from today you're not my mother anymore. Amari-san, if you leave and my sibling behind I will never forgive you, do you hear me!" Sora pushed his mother away and left. The woman started screaming again and again, gripping her hair as it looked as if she became a mad woman. It was then that the pin in her hair faintly started gleaming.

"That is…" Ichigo pointed to the hair pin. He wasn't the only one who noticed. The female suddenly took the pin out of her hair and wiped her tears. "Stupid hair pin. Never have you done anything for me. It's just a bad reminder of the past." Amari threw the pin in the corner of the room.

"I've seen enough. Let's go Zangetsu." The old man sighed as he saw the sad look in Ichigo's eyes.

"Don't get carried away by the things you see Ichigo. Sometimes people go through unfortunate things because life is just that cruel." Ichigo rubbed his neck and it looked as he wanted to say something, but at that moment they arrived at the next place.

It was near a stream and a little girl with short auburn hair and gray eyes was sitting beside the same guy with blue-black hair. Ichigo immediately recognized the male. "Isn't he the abused teenager? I'm glad he made it out alive!" Ichigo sighed from relieve, the worry on his face lifting a bit.

"Yes, it seems we have skipped a few years." Zangetsu seated himself on a nearby rock, watching the scene unfold. "He even has a little girl, must be his daughter. No?" Ichigo joined Zangetsu, watching the little girl with a birth smile on his face.

"Onii-chan, look! Flowers are growing. Can you make me a flower crown? I can then be the flower princess!" Sora laughed heatedly and was overjoyed to make his little sister a flower crown made of daisies. While Sora was busy putting the crown together, the little girl went near the stream and placed her two little feet in the water, giggling happily from the unfamiliar sensation of the cold water.

"Onii-chan, the water tickles!" Sora looked with warmth-filled eyes at his little girl, warning her to be careful. Ichigo rested his face on his arm as he watched the little girl play near the stream. The way her hair was bright auburn, pink chubby cheeks and a smile that couldn't be unnoticed. This girl was an exact copy of his wife, Inoue Orihime. But it couldn't be, right? Was she the same little girl in the first flashback? No, they looked totally different. This girl was happy, smiling and giggling with her older brother. Also, her clothes look entirely different from the first girl. Even though they weren't the same, there were certainly similarities.

"I finished your crown, come here my princess." The little girl carefully came back and took a seat beside her brother. "Waaaaauw! Onii-chan, this is the most beautiful crown I have seen. You're the best brother and crown maker in the entire universe!" Sora turned beet red at the praise of his little sister, patting her head affectionately. He placed the flower crown on her head and immediately the girl took off, running through the grass and back to the stream. "Look fish, this is my crown and now I am your princess!"

"My princess, please be careful with your crown." Sora followed her to the stream, letting his feet soak in the water. The girl looked up at her brother and suddenly said: "Onii-chan, when I become big, I'll become a real princess and I'll marry a beautiful fish prince!" Both Sora and Ichigo cocked their brows as even Zangetsu couldn't help to smile at the words of the little girl.

"Why a fish prince? You can do so much better than that you know…" Sora laughed, crouching down to meet the height of his little sister. "Because I want to become the princess of the fishes. I like them very much. They're a lot less scary than humans." These words visually made Sora sad.

"I'm sorry for everything, my little princess." He pulled the girl into a tight hug who just gave him a questioning look. "I promise you, one day I'll make sure you will be on top of society and that we'll be both contributing to a better world. A world where royals and nobles can't trample on us anymore."

From his back pocket he suddenly revealed the blue pin the woman in the past memory had tossed aside. "My hime, I heard from uncle that this pin is a good luck charm. It is supposed to keep you save when you're in danger. When I can't protect you, I trust that this pin will. I'm not sure exactly how it works but I heard that each royal family has an artifact that is being handed down each generation. Even though I hope you'll never encounter someone from royal heritage, I do want you to have this. You never know…"

The girl simply nodded, her brother speaking too fast for her to comprehend everything. On moments like these, Orihime was rather busy enjoying her own fantasies than listening to the random rumblings of her brother. "It's really pretty! Thank you, Onii-chan. Can you put this in my hair?" The girl turned around and Sora gently positioned the pin in her hair, looking proudly at his gift. "It suits you, my hime."

Ichigo and Zangetsu had witnessed the entire scene and slowly, but surely things were coming together. "It's time to go home, Ichigo." Before the male could protest, he was back in his own inner world where the buildings were sideways and the sky was vivid and blue.

"That girl, she was Orihime wasn't she? The last girl with the chubby cheeks. I'm right, aren't I?" Zangetsu looked to the sky and only sighed. Ichigo's thoughts were racing as he tried to process everything he had just witnessed. "So cute…." The memories of his past and the connections between the people he saw were becoming clearer, but also more confusing. "Who's the little girl we saw at the beginning? She looked really close to my mother. Wait, that was my mom right?"

"Kurosaki Ichigo, impatient as ever. Before we look at the people and who is who, can you guess why I showed you this?" After a long thought, Ichigo nodded slowly. "You wanted to show me the Shun Shun Rikka, didn't you?" Zangetsu nodded, drawing the flower on one of the windows of the building they were sitting on.

"But why? I mean there are so many things I have learned through this. Aizen told me Orihime was from the royal bloodline, but I could never imagine something like this. All this time she was hidden. Also, I can't believe I met Sora. It's very noticeable that he truly loved Orihime and also was loved by her."

"Ichigo, focus."

"But…-"

"Focus."

"Fine."

Ichigo sighed as he rubbed his temples. "Alright, Shun Shun Rikka. The chosen artifact to protect the Inoue Kingdom. Just like Zangetsu is the sword given by the Kurosaki kingdom. Given to protect and to govern."

"Yes, so what does this mean?" Zangetsu asked.

"What does it mean? It means that the wielder of the object is chosen to protect the people under them."

"And?"

"I really have no idea, Zangetsu." Another frustrated sigh left Ichigo.

"Since your wife has the Shun Shun Rikka it must mean that she is fit to become a ruler. It looks like this little pin has found its way to her because it instinctively knew she would be strong enough to protect and to govern the people around and under her. Just like I chose you over your father."

"Do you mean…" The male was at a loss for words. "Yes Ichigo. Your wife isn't as weak as you think. If the Shun Shun Rikka had chosen her, it must mean that she has the qualities fit to be a future queen." Zangetsu said, breaking it down in front of his disciple.

"There is only one thing… she doesn't know how to use it. If the Shun Shun Rikka chose Orihime as its wielder, why did it never reveal itself unto her?" Zangetsu tapped his chin with his right index finger. "Good question. Perhaps it has to do with her upbringing? Her uncle died too early, at least so I've heard and never revealed anything about how to use it. From the second memory we visited, I believe the former princess also didn't know how to use the weapon properly."

Ichigo turned to Zangetsu and looked determined. "I must teach and help her to use the Shun Shun Rikka. It's the only way I can assure Orihime's safety and…" A mischievous gleam appearing in Ichigo's eyes. "I have finally found a way to present my lovely wife to the public. and knock down those annoying nobles"

Instead of looking relieved, Zangetsu looked rather worried when Ichigo finished his sentence. "Just focus on her bonding with the Shun Shun Rikka. Help your highness get stronger and then we will see how the future unfolds."

"No, it's time to take matters into my own hands." Ichigo stood up. He felt energized as he suddenly remembered the words of Renji.

"I can make a change with the right woman on my side. As always, thank you Zangetsu!"

And with that, Ichigo left his inner world. Leaving behind a worried but satisfied older man.

Orihime took a stroll later that evening in the woods behind the castle. The breeze of the wind playing with her long hair that was now shining in the beautiful moonlight. As she looked at the sky, memories were brought back of her childhood. Memories that were dear to her heart. Without noticing, she let out a loud sigh.

"What's the sigh about?" Ichigo appeared from behind one of the trees, immediately pulling Orihime from behind into his arms. "Ichigo!"

Ichigo let out a chuckle as he held Orihime tighter. "I just missed you, that's all." Orihime blushed and leaned into him. "I missed you too, my love." They stood there for a while, enjoying each other's company in the peaceful forest. Finally, Ichigo broke the silence. "Orihime, there's something I need to talk to you about. Let's continue your walk."

The two carried on walking, their fingers intertwined while their warmth kept each other warm. "There's something I need to confess. It's about the first time I met you."

"Ah, you said you found me somewhere near the side of the road, right?" Ichigo nodded, thinking back at what he had seen. "I haven't told you the entire truth about it. Because of your mental state I didn't want to force something on you that might have been insignificant."

Orihime stopped walking, turning to Ichigo as she wanted to see his face. "Ichigo, what are you talking about?"

"Honestly, when I first found you, there was an orange shield protecting you. Everything, the entire car and the body of the driver had been shattered to pieces. The attack on the car was too violent that anyone who didn't either have a good battle strength or special powers could survive. But how could you, a pregnant and innocent girl survive such an attack like that? That was what I was thinking, but you were unscratched and surrounded by a special shield. It was weird because I have never met anyone with that power but I was too afraid to tell you. I figured you might feel threatened if I told you about it."

"An orange shield. I-I haven't ever heard about it." Orihime looked a bit confused at her husband. It was hard to believe that something she had never seen had saved her life back then. "As soon as I wanted to touch the shield it disappeared and turned into that little hair pin." Orihime flinched as Ichigo pointed to her hair and immediately she took it out. "These are the pins that were gifted by my brother. These are nothing special."

Ichigo shook his head as he reminded Sora's words. "That's not true Hime, these pins were passed down through the generations of the royal family, so I found it. They are special and I believe they have something to do with the shield that protected you." He pulled her hands together, both looking at the two little pins in her hands.

"And that's not all, I believe you have a power that you don't even know about. The Shun Shun Rikka, the flower that you carry, has chosen you as its wielder." Orihime seemed confused by these words. "Me? But how?"

"Because you are the only Inoue alive. The Shun Shun Rikka, it's a responsibility that I want to help you with. I want to teach you how to use it so that you can protect yourself and the people you care about. Will you let me do that?" Orihime looked at Ichigo, her eyes wide with surprise and wonder. She nodded slowly, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation building within her.

"It's still a bit hard to believe, but if it can help me protect Kamari than I'll do anything in my might to become stronger. Thank you Ichigo for being honest to me and telling me this. Each day I'm learning more and more about my past." The way Orihime was looking at Ichigo in the moonlight accentuated her beautiful yet small face. The faint red on her cheeks, the lips that were speaking and the sad gleam mixed with confusion in her eyes.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all of that." Ichigo was hinting at the abuse of the mother. He put two and two together, but Orihime didn't know what he meant and thought he apologized for something else. "It's okay Ichigo. The past is in the past and all we can do right now is walk bravely to the future. Since we can't change what has passed, we should focus on the things we can change, right?"

Proudly, Ichigo looked at his wife, as he pulled her into his chest. Her head now resting on his chest as she rubbed with her thumb over the hair pins her brother gifted her. Ichigo rubbed Orihime's back and smiled.

"Well said, let us focus on the things we can change and create a future to be proud of."

Orihime looked up at her husband and without thinking she pulled him into a slow kiss. The two pulled away from each other, their foreheads still touching. Orihime looked up at Ichigo with a soft smile on her lips as she said to him:

"For the future."

A blushing yet smiling Ichigo whispered back

"For the future," his heart swelling with love for his wife.

Another month, another chapter! I'm writing this as I listen to a live symphony version of Never Meant to Belong from the bleach soundtrack. I feel that this song fits so well with this story because it's about belonging in a place you feel you do not belong or are not prepared for. Orihime is slowly but surely getting ready for the next part of her life as Ichigo is planning and mapping his next move out in his head. How will this turn out?

What do you guys think about this sudden development? Next chapter we will go more into action and perhaps a start of a war? 0_0

Thank you for sticking with the story and until next chapter!