Guess what? The seventh chapter for Western Princess is finally here! Thanks to everyone who's been reviewing: copper-chan, Blitch, xNocturnalxShadowx, and all the rest of you.

And (just so he can't say I forgot him XD) my awesome beta, Darth_Hawk32. Thanks for editing my chapters.

Disclaimer: Only in my dreams do I own Bleach.

"Nanao, what am I supposed to do?" Orihime asked, unable to tear her gaze away from her admirers.

"For one thing, stop staring at them. That is only going to encourage them." Nanao hissed, linking her arm through Orihime's. "How about we take a walk this way? Surely they will not follow us."

"Actually, they would. And they are." Karin spoke, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Orihime began to panic. She had never been very good at talking to strangers, especially men. She chanced a look over her shoulder.

"I said do not look. They will go away in time." Nanao said through her teeth, a fake smile on her face all the while.

"I don't think so." The youngest girl said.

Nanao glared at her. "Do you enjoy making your sister-in-law feel worse?"

Karin shook her head. "Um, I think I'm going to leave now." She muttered, and fled, hoping that she would now be able to escape to go fishing.

"Nanao, I'm married. I can't have anything to do with them." Orihime whispered.

"Because they do not know that you are married, they will continue to pursue you until they find out. Now, if one of them approaches you, let me do the talking. All right? And do not worry. Things will turn out fine." She smiled reassuringly at the redhead.

"Would you like a drink, Miss?"

"And so it begins." Nanao murmured.

"Oh, no, thank you. I-I'm fine." Orihime said nervously to the man who had approached and was now standing before her.

"Are you sure?" The man asked again. "It's warm out today, and you might get thirsty."

"She said no." Nanao stated firmly. "Now, if you will excuse us, we will be going on our way now." She steered Orihime in a different direction. "This might be harder than I thought."

"Hello, my name is Uryuu Ishida. And you are?"

Orihime stared at the man who had just spoken. He had black hair and glasses. His clothing was neat, with no wrinkles or dust evident on the fabric. "I'm Orihime Kurosaki."

Uryuu knitted his brow. "Kurosaki? Any relation to the Kurosaki family here?"

"Oh, well, no. I mean-"

"There you are! I've been looking all over for you, my dear!"

Orihime's eyes widened as a brown-haired man stumbled up. He had stubble on his chin, and he held a bottle in his hand. He halted in front of them.

"Ah, Nanao, you are just as lovely as usual."

"That is Miss Ise to you." She snapped. "And I do not appreciate your speaking to me while you are intoxicated."

He laughed. "Don't go playing hard to get, Nanao. I know these games you ladies play."

"You are infuriating, pure and simple, Mr. Kyouraku." She retorted, her face displaying her obvious contempt for the man. "Why do you not find some other woman to annoy?"

"Because for me, only you will do, Nanao." He winked and extended his hand to touch her face, to which Nanao responded with a cry of outrage as she smacked his hand with her fan.

Meanwhile, Uryuu was gently leading Orihime away from the bickering pair. "You'll have to excuse them. Whenever they meet, arguments are sure to follow."

"Who is he?"

"Shunsui Kyouraku, the town drunk. He's harmless, though, unless you're Miss Ise."

"Will she be all right?" Orihime strained to see her friend through the crowd.

"Yes, she's quite capable of handling herself. But now, I'd like to learn more about you, Miss Kurosaki."

"I'm originally from Virginia, but I moved here when I...uh...after my brother died." She had been about to say 'when I married Ichigo' but wasn't sure if he wanted it to be known.

"I'm sorry. I hope you will be happy here." He stopped by a table that had bowls of punch on it. "Are you thirsty?"

"Actually, yes, I am." She accepted the cup and took a sip. "Thank you, Mr. Ishida."

"You're welcome. Now, what about something to eat?"

"Oh!" Orihime gasped, clapping a hand to her cheek. "I completely forgot! Oh, but he said he would come find me..."

"You came with someone?"

"Yes, Ichigo Kurosaki." She replied absently, attempting to look every way at once. She missed the dark look that crossed her companion's face.

"Ichigo, hm? Well, I don't see him anywhere, and if he said he'd find you, then he will. So until then, allow me to enjoy your company." He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm.

She blinked. "Um...All right..." She hesitated. Should she tell him that she was married? Or should she just let it slide? Unsure of what to do, she went along with Uryuu, but made certain to keep a distance between them, which was difficult since he had her arm.

"Uryuu!" A white-haired man walked up to them. "Where have you been?"

"I've been mingling, talking with people, Ryuuken."

Ryuuken's eyes flashed. "You need to show respect, Boy. I am your father, after all."

"I don't see a father. I see a man wrapped up in his work." Uryuu spat out.

"Watch your mouth."

Orihime felt like an intruder as she watched Uryuu and his father trade insults. This was the third fight in one day she had witnessed. She quietly slipped away, feeling relief when they didn't notice her absence. She bit her lip, not sure what to do now that she was alone. She smiled when she saw some children playing tag. She remembered chasing Sora when she was younger and how he would start to tickle her when she caught him. So many happy memories, and she had been sure that there would be plenty more of them to come. But a single bullet had crushed all of her dreams.

"You're a new face around here."

Orihime whirled around to face a woman about her age. "Y-yes, I just moved here a few days ago."

"Rukia Kuchiki." She had shoulder-length black hair and was wearing a dark red dress.

"Orihime Kurosaki." She took the hand offered to her and shook it, smiling.

"You look like you're my age." Rukia said. "I'm twenty."

"Me, too."

"So what brings you here? If you don't mind my asking, that is."

"My brother died, and I moved here from Virginia." Orihime replied.

"Your brother?" Rukia looked shocked. "You mean Ichigo?! When did he die? I could have sworn I saw him today."

The redhead giggled. "No, not Ichigo. He's not my brother."

"Oh, I just assumed since you had the same last name. Are you a cousin, then?"

Orihime tilted her head. This girl had a lot of questions. Now she knew what Ichigo felt like when she kept talking. "N-no."

"You can't be his aunt. You're too young." Rukia frowned, tapping her finger on her chin, then she laughed. "Oh, you know what? You're probably not even related. And trust me, you do not want to be related to him." She leaned closer. "He's rude and arrogant and a barbarian."

Orihime stared at her in shock. "N-no, he's not!"

Rukia blinked. "You're defending him? How do you know him?"

"He...He's my...ummm..." She was stuck. She didn't want to lie, but she didn't want to reveal who she was and get Ichigo mad. She was saved when a distinguished looking man with black hair called to her companion.

"Rukia."

Her eyes lit up. "Brother!" She turned and gave him a hug, which he half-heartedly returned.

"And who is this?" His gray-black eyes roved over Orihime.

"Oh, this is Orihime. She's from Virginia. Orihime, this is my brother, Byakuya Kuchiki."

Orihime gave a small curtsy. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Kuchiki."

He nodded in response, then returned his attention back to his sister. "Rukia, it's time to eat."

"Oh! All right. I'll see you later, Orihime." She smiled, waved, and traipsed after Byakuya.

Orihime watched them leave and sighed. Ichigo should be coming to find her soon. She glanced around, but didn't see him anywhere. Realizing that there was no way he would be able to find her if she kept moving, she decided to stay in one spot. Besides, her leg was beginning to hurt. So she stopped and kept her weight on her left side to keep pressure off of her sore hip. She kept anxiously scanning the crowd for her husband, hoping that he hadn't forgotten about her.

Ichigo set the tray on the small table with a clunk, and turned to face her. "Orihime let me tell you this. I may not have been expecting you to come, and I may not be entirely happy that you are here, but you are my responsibility. And I take responsibility very seriously. So you don't have to worry about anything. Got it?"

Orihime smiled. Yes, she remembered now. He would take care of her. She didn't have to worry.

Ichigo was talking with Ikkaku and Izuru, having lost track of time as they joked around. But the conversation took a serious turn when Ichigo mentioned something he'd heard.

"I heard that the Las Noches are on the move again."

Ikkaku whipped his head around to view him. "You're kidding."

He shook his head. "I wish I were."

Izuru sighed. "That means that we'll all have to be on guard. Those outlaws are ruthless, especially their leader."

Ikkaku snorted. "Izuru is right. Aizen and his men are ruthless and cunning. They don't care who they hurt as long as they get what they want. Ichigo, do you know if it's true that they attacked a farm twenty miles away from here?"

"As far as I know, yeah. A woman was injured, and I think she almost died." The orange-haired man heard a commotion behind him, but he ignored it. "Rumor is that they're headed further out west, so hopefully that means we're safe."

"Wow, she sure is popular." Izuru commented, not having listened to a single word Ichigo had been saying.

"Who is?" Ichigo asked, turning his head to look in the direction Izuru was. His gaze found four men huddled around someone. "Ah, it's probably only Rukia with her 'look at me, I'm so sweet and charming act.' She disgusts me."

"Actually, no, it's not..."

"Then who..." Ichigo's voice trailed off as he caught sight of Orihime in the middle. His stomach turned and his fists clenched as he watched her hide a giggle behind her hand. His eyes narrowed, observing the men clamoring for her attention, each trying to outdo the other. He took a step forward.

"I think someone's jealous. Don't you agree, Izuru?" Ikkaku smirked.

The blond nodded in agreement. "He is. Any second now he's going to storm over there and give those guys a piece of his mind."

Ichigo forced himself to stay where he was. He would not allow his friends the luxury of gloating when he did just that. Besides, he was not jealous. Orihime was his wife, but to him that meant nothing. So instead of going to rescue her, he walked off, stating that he had to ask his dad something.

"...When they do end up together, I'm going to laugh in his face." Ikkaku said, watching his friend walk away.

Izuru merely smiled.

Orihime smiled at one of the men who had just offered, for the third time, to get her a drink. "No, thank you. I'm not thirsty right now."

"Just let me know when you want a drink, and I'll get it for you."

The other men started talking all at once, and Orihime looked at them in bewilderment. What should she do now? She had tried to be nice to them but still discourage them from pursuing her, but they wouldn't take the hint. Perhaps she should be a bit more forceful. She opened her mouth, but before she could speak a word, she heard someone passing from behind say something.

"Just look at him. He has that permanent scowl on his face as usual."

"Yes, I see. I don't know how he can be related to Masaki. That woman was so sweet and caring, not like her son."

Orihime sneaked a peek at the two women who were gossiping nearby. She wondered who they were talking about.

"Even though he's a doctor, he's rude. He hardly speaks, and when he does, it's always an insult of some kind."

Her gray eyes widened. They were talking about Ichigo. She couldn't just stand there and let them talk about him like that, but she wasn't brave enough to confront them, either. So she stood there as they continued to talk as they walked off. She pondered their words. Yes, Ichigo was rude. She had witnessed that firsthand. But he was also gentle. She had seen that when he examined her leg. He was always so careful not to hurt her. She was so deep in thought she didn't notice someone else come up to her.

"Excuse me, I don't believe we've ever met."

Orihime turned and looked up at the man who had sneaked up on her. "Oh, um, no, we haven't. I-I'm new here and-" She didn't notice the men behind her look angry, knowing that they couldn't possibly beat the charm of the newcomer battling for her affection.

"Oh! Say no more. We shall be acquainted soon enough." He flashed her a brilliant smile. "I am Keigo Asano, and I would be honored -no, delighted- if you would allow me to be your escort." He took her hand, raised it to his lips and-

"Hey, Keigo! Just who's wife do you think that is?"

Orihime gasped as Ichigo stalked up and glared menacingly at Keigo, who immediately dropped Orihime's hand.

"W-w-wife?!" Keigo sputtered, jerking his gaze from Ichigo to Orihime and back again. "Since when?"

"None of your business." Ichigo stated, not knowing exactly when they had gotten married. He wondered if he should ask her that way he could answer if anyone else were to ask. "Now get out of here and leave my wife alone." He stood close to Orihime as if shielding her from unwanted attention. He looped an arm around her waist, sending a silent message. Back off. She's mine.

Keigo backed away, laughing nervously. Ichigo had punched him before; it wasn't something he wished to experience again. "It...was nice meeting you. Bye now!" With a short wave, he was gone, swallowed up in the throng of people who had crowded around to watch the spectacle.

"That should keep them away." Ichigo muttered, scowling.

Admiration shone brightly in Orihime's eyes as she stared in awe at her husband. He really was a nice man, despite what the other women had been saying. Why else would he have come to her rescue like that? All the background noise faded into the distance until there was only her and Ichigo left. What was this foreign feeling? She could hear her heart pounding loudly. She could hardly breathe, and her hands trembled. Could this be what she had read about in those romance books Sora had bought for her? Could it be love?

She suddenly felt very faint and swayed slightly, only to feel a warm hand on her back and another hand grip her arm. Tilting her head back, she noticed Ichigo's face, lined with worry, gazing down at her.

"Orihime, are you okay? You're pale."

"I-I think I just need to sit down for a while." She gasped when he lifted her into his arms, and she clung to his shirt while trying to keep hold of her cane. Her cheeks burned as he carried her to some shade created by a canopy of trees. He set her down gently, kneeling beside her.

"Do you want me to get you a drink or something to eat?" He inquired, brushing a stray piece of hair out of her eyes.

Orihime could feel her cheeks grow even hotter yet, and Ichigo placed the back of his hand against her forehead, and then looked at her pupils. "Your face is all red now, but you don't have heat stroke yet. Does anything hurt? Is it your leg?"

"Uh...no, nothing hurts. I think I'm just overwhelmed. I'll be fine in a few minutes. But a drink sounds wonderful." She added.

Ichigo nodded and pushed himself to his feet. "I'll be back in a few minutes. Just stay there and don't try to get up." He ordered before striding away.

Orihime leaned back against a tree, looking up into the branches. She saw a squirrel leaping from limb to limb and a bluebird chirping merrily. She smiled. She dropped her gaze back to the picnic, surveying everything. There were people, most of whom were women, clumped together, occasionally glancing over at her then quickly looking away. They were obviously gossiping about her. She briefly wondered how long it would take before they meandered over to question her again. She didn't feel like answering them, not after what they had said about Ichigo. She bit her lip. No, she couldn't be mean to them or else she would be acting just like they had been. If they wanted to talk to her, then she would be civil and reply. That was what a lady should do, and Sora had raised her to be a lady.

Closing her eyes, she relaxed. It was a beautiful day out, and she remembered times like these when she and Sora had gone for a picnic. A tear threatened to fall, but she held it back, not wanting to cry and ruin this magnificent day.

An image of Ichigo drifted through her mind. Her eyes flew open. Yes, she still had to figure out what exactly she was feeling. It was unlike anything that she had ever experienced before, and it frightened her. Her hunch that she might be in love with Ichigo crept back up. If that were the case, what should she do? He didn't love her, right? But, her rational side argued, they had only known each other for four days, so how could she have possibly fallen in love with him that quickly? But if it was indeed love, what was to say she couldn't fall in love after only four days?

She gave a frustrated sigh. She was so confused, and had no idea what to do now. I suppose I should just take it one day at a time, then. It will come to me eventually. She took off her hat and placed it on her lap, her lip still caught between her teeth. I just have to think things through...

Ichigo ignored the glances and whispers aimed in his direction as he got a drink for Orihime. He didn't care that the whole town now knew that he was married. Truth be told, he honestly didn't care what they thought of him at all. But, he knew that actually, that wasn't the whole truth. He had worked hard to establish a reputation as a good doctor, since most people, if they were in their right mind, would only use the services of a doctor that they trusted.

Ichigo stopped a few feet away from where Orihime was sitting. She had her eyes closed, and she was chewing on her lip again. He shook his head. Why didn't she ever listen to him about that? A warm breeze blew by, and he couldn't help but notice that the tendrils of hair that had escaped now waved slightly, framing her face. He walked up to her and stooped down. Noting a drop of blood on her lip, he automatically reached out a finger and gently wiped the blood away.

Her head jerked up, and her startled gaze flew to his. "I-Ichigo!"

He frowned. There, her face had gotten even redder. "Are you sure you're feeling okay?" He handed her the cup, still concerned. He racked his brain for anything that might explain why she was acting so strange. Nothing came to mind that fit the symptoms she had.

"Y-yes, I'm fine, Ichigo." She emptied the contents of the cup in a few swallows. She really had been thirsty.

"Okay. Do you want to get food now? Or do you want to rest for a little longer?" He inquired.

Her stomach growled in response, and she blushed. "Um, I think I should get some food now."

He nodded and held out his hand. She tentatively took it, amazed at the strength his hand possessed. Her eyes searched his, and before she knew it, she was lost in his gaze. Her mouth suddenly went dry, and she wished that she still had some punch left. She swallowed thickly, feeling empty when he released her hand to give her the cane. "Ah, thank you." She murmured, clutching the wood. At least her hand had something to hold. It tingled slightly, and she wondered if it had fallen asleep. She was startled when he moved his hand to her back and kept it there. "Ichigo..."

He looked down. "I...don't want you to fall. If it makes you uncomfortable, I could move it."

"Uh, n-no. That's fine. I like it." Her eyes widened, and she clamped a hand over her mouth, completely mortified. What had she just said?

Ichigo stared at her, not sure if he had heard correctly. "What?"

"Uh, here! I like it here. A lot. It's...it's so pretty, and the people seem really nice, and your family is nice, too. And the flowers are blooming, and the sun is shining, and the-" She stopped rambling when he put two fingers against her lips.

"I get it, Orihime. You can stop now." A smile played at the corner of his lips, and he desperately fought it down. She didn't affect him, he reminded himself. She didn't affect him at all.

Once they were in line, she allowed herself to relax. This wasn't so bad. Here she was with Ichigo, and he wasn't mad at her. In fact, he hadn't gotten mad at her all day. She smiled, completely thrilled with herself for her accomplishment. Her life here wouldn't be that horrible if they could stay this way.

The whole time they waited for the food, Ichigo stayed close to her. He didn't want to give any man the opportunity to divide them. If anyone got too close, he leveled a glare at them, causing them to stop in their tracks. He was doing this for Orihime's sake, since she seemed uneasy with the attention. That was the only reason.

He picked a spot by his family and gestured for her to sit down. He plopped down beside her and sighed. "This smells really good."

Orihime smiled and glanced at his plate. "You took a piece of our pie."

"Yeah. But you didn't get one. And here you were all excited about trying a piece." He teased her.

"I forgot." She said sheepishly. "But I don't think it would have fit on my plate."

Ichigo looked at her plate and nodded. "You did pile it pretty high." Picking up his fork, her stabbed a part of the pie and held it out to her. "Here."

She blinked. "Uh...Are you sure?"

"You said you wanted to try it, so go on."

A blush darkened her cheeks as she leaned forward and delicately ate it. Her eyes widened in delight. "Mmm! It's delicious!"

"Is it?" He tried a piece. "Hey, you're right. It is good." He winked at her. "We made a good team, didn't we?"

She nodded her head, the color in her cheeks rising. "Y-yes, we did."

"...Aww, how sweet. They're feeding each other." Karin remarked dryly.

Ichigo cursed under his breath. He had forgotten his family was here. "Shut up, Karin."

"I'm just calling it as I see it, Ichigo." She shrugged. "You two are the talk of the town now." She pointed.

Ichigo and Orihime turned to view their audience. Everyone who had been in their vicinity was staring at them. Some even had their mouths open in disbelief. The orange-haired doctor wished that the earth would swallow him up.

"So much for my reputation." He muttered.