Empire of the Sun

By: Katreju

Chapter Eight

The peculiar black-haired girl jumped off of the wall and landed roughly on her feet.

"How about I tell you in a way you understand me! If you don't leave this girl alone, I'll send all of you back to your hideout hurtin'!" she said.

Still lying on the ground, Orihime was certainly confused over this twist of fate. No one, aside from her brother, had ever stood up on her behalf before. Yet she only stared in awe of the girl who exuded confidence and a grin that oddly reminded her of a fox.

The leader smirked cockily. "I think we have ourselves a new target."

"Heh," The girl started cracking her knuckles. "You idiots won't be able to land one finger on me!"

In a blink of an eye, she charged forward and proceeded to kick and punch her opponents out one by one. She then side kicked the bully who held Orihime to the ground right in his face then watched him fall hard onto the pavement. Her deep-blue eyes had briefly met with Orihime's honey-brown ones before they turned onto the dumbstruck leader. She had intentionally saved him for last so she could earn the satisfaction of seeing the bewildered look on his face.

"I'll say it again," she smirked. "Either leave or I'll send you back cryin'!"

Balling his hands, the boy's face tensed at her remark. He then shouted in anger and charged toward her. However, she had swiftly dodged his fist then pivoted and slammed her knee right in between his legs. He yelped excruciatingly before collapsing to the ground with his hands covering his aching injury.

She shrugged. "Can't say I didn't warn you!" She went over to pick up the grocery bag then walked back to help Orihime stand to her feet. "Doesn't look like you have any injuries! C'mon, we should get you back to Lord Inoue!"

Orihime's eyes widened. "You…know who I am?"

The girl winked. "It's kind of obvious since no one else has cool-looking hair like yours!"

Orihime had no idea what to say.

"C'mon! Let's go before these jerks get up and I have to beat them to ground again!"

The peculiar girl held onto Orihime's wrist then led her running down the alley.

"By the way," she shouted, "I am Tatsuki of the Arisawa clan!"

"Um..." the red-head said meekly before raising her voice. "I am Orihime of the Inoue clan!"

Tatsuki laughed. "I already know that! But it's great to finally meet you!"

A smile had formed its way across Orihime's face as she followed behind her seemingly new friend.

. . .

Sora took a sip of his tea then gently placed the cup on the table. "Then it's decided!" he smiled. "I am truly honored to have your support."

The dark-haired man sitting across from him smiled as well and leaned forward in a bow. "My clan and I are honored to be in your service, Lord Inoue."

Suddenly both men heard a stampede rushing into the restaurant and looked over to see the tomboy and the daimyo's sister heading their way. Both girls looked exhausted yet gleeful as they stopped in front of the table to regain their breath.

Tatsuki grinned at her father. "Told you I'd find her, Pa!"

"You have to forgive my daughter, Lady Inoue," Tatsuya chuckled. "She is not one for formal introductions."

"I-It's okay!" Orihime stuttered. "She helped me out and is very nice to me so..."

Sora smiled warmly. "Would you both like to sit with us?"

The girls nodded and took off their shoes before stepping up into the seating area. Tatsuki sat next to her father whereas Orihime sat next to her brother and across from her.

"Oh yeah," Tatsuki said, handing over the grocery bag to Orihime, "you might want this back."

"Thank you!" Orihime said. "Would you like some of what I bought?"

"What is it?"

Her honey-brown eyes brightened with excitement. "Well I have some pears, bread, red bean paste and nori! I usually like to spread the paste onto a piece of bread then add the nori and some pear slices and afterward put another piece of bread on top!"

Tatsuki slowly nodded. "Uh-huh…"

"Would you like me to make you one?"

"Eh, how about you just give me half of yours?"

"Deal!"

. . .

From that day on, Tatsuki and I had become the best of friends.

We were an inseparable pair whenever she and her family were in town. Since she grew up in a dojo under her father, she had taught me how to fight so I would know how to protect myself when she wasn't around. With my newly acquired skills, I'm proud to say that no one had ever bullied me again.

Come to think of it, I think she once said I'm the equivalent of being a junior master but I am not too sure about that…

Anyway! She was my first true friend and because of her, I had decided to grow my hair long again in honor of how her friendship changed me. I was no longer discouraged about what others thought of my red hair and came to appreciate its uniqueness and what it now represented for me: my faith in Tatsuki.

This, of course, made my brother very happy and further reminded me that I always had his acceptance even when people tried to convince him that I was a bad seed.

It wasn't too long after I had met Tatsuki that I met my second closest friend and his family. Little did I know of the connection we would have prior to our meeting.

. . .

"Hey, you!"

Orihime looked down from the tree she was lounging on and saw a dark-haired boy glaring at her with his dark-brown eyes.

"It's not proper for girls to be climbing trees!" he shouted.

Orihime tilted her head. "I have never heard of that rule!"

The boy sighed. "You risk showing indecency because you're wearing a kimono!"

"That's ridiculous!" she retorted, her eyebrows furrowed together. "You can't even see my legs!"

"I'm sure people can when you're going up and down, which is why I said it was improper in the first place!"

Orihime proceeded to climb down branch by branch until she was able to jump off the tree and land safely in front of her accuser. The two children stared at each other for a moment before she spoke again. "Are you happy now?"

The boy shrugged. "It's not like I care or anything. I'm only telling you since you seem to come from a good family and you don't want to bring shame on them."

She tilted her head and slightly smiled. "I kind of already do that."

He gave her an incredulous look. "That's not something you should be proud of!"

Orihime playfully giggled before noticing the bag over his left shoulder. "Did you just come from the market?"

"Huh?" He blinked out of his short-lived trance. "Oh, yeah...my mother wanted me to go buy fruit for some guests we're having today."

She leaned over and stared intently at the bag. "What kind of fruit did you get?"

"Just some plums and oranges."

"Ah..."

The boy gazed intently at the girl who seemed to be quite taken with his grocery bag and felt an awkward feeling come over him. To put a stop to it, he reached his hand into the bag and pulled out the object of her desire.

"Here," he said as he moved his arm forward to hand her a perfectly round, unblemished plum.

"Wow! Are you sure?" Orihime asked excitedly. She watched him nod and gently took the fruit from his hand. "Thank you so much! May I ask your name?"

"It's Hideki."

"Well, Hideki," she smiled brightly, "Someday I will repay the gift you gave me!"

Hideki lightly blushed. "Don't think too much about it, alright? Anyway, I have to go. And remember what I said before."

Orihime watched him depart down the road then happily took a bite of the plum.

. . .

"Big Brother, you home!" said a four-year old boy running down the corridor then into his brother.

Hideki smiled and rubbed his little brother's head. "Have you been good for Mother and Father?"

Yuji nodded. "Yes, I been good!"

"Great! Because I brought you something."

Out from the bag, Hideki revealed a large plum for the little boy's anticipating eyes. The child quickly grabbed it from his hand and began devouring the fruit. Hideki smiled and rubbed his head again before walking down the corridor and into the kitchen. Inside, he saw his mother assisting Gorō with the dinner preparations. Both of them were laughing over something and it pleased him to see her so happy.

"Ah, you're back!" Gorō exclaimed with a grin. "Was there enough money for what we needed?"

"More than enough, Sir," Hideki responded. "I still have a lot left."

"Excellent! Go ahead and keep the rest!"

The ten-year old gawked at the man. "But Sir-"

"Hideki," Emi gently chimed in, "you know it's useless to negotiate with him. Please take it."

Backing down, Hideki straightened his posture and leaned forward in bow. "Thank you."

Gorō laughed heartily. "There is no need to bow, son! You're my family!"

Hideki hesitantly smiled. "I know."

"Anyway, I'm sure our guests will love what you picked out, especially Little One! She loves all kinds of fruit!"

Hideki set the bag near the water basin. "Are these people that important?"

"Very!" Gorō grinned. "They are my dearest friends."

"Which is why we all must look presentable," Emi said.

"Well, then I better get Yuji cleaned up. I'm sure he managed to get plum juice all over him," Hideki said.

. . .

About an hour later, a knock was heard from the front entrance. Gorō quickly slid the shoji open and beamed when he saw Lord Sora Inoue and Lady Orihime Inoue standing in front of him.

"It's been a long time, my friend," Sora smiled.

Gorō kneeled on the floor and bowed. "Too long, my lord! Welcome to my home!" He felt small arms wrap around his neck then stared into the cheerful brown eyes of the little girl who embraced him.

"I've missed you, Gorō-dono!" Orihime said. "Your beard has gotten so long!"

Gorō laughed then lifted Orihime up as he stood to his feet. "I've missed your company as well, Little One! I made a whole lot of food just for you! I hope you still have a big appetite!"

The eleven-year old grinned. "Most definitely!"

Sora shook his head. "Some things never change."

"Come! I'll show you both around and introduce you to my family!" Gorō said.

The samurai carried Orihime as he led the Inoue siblings down the hallway. They arrived in dining room and witnessed his wife tidying up the table setting. She looked up and slightly jumped out of her skin before quickly kneeling in a bow.

"My apologies!" Emi said. "It's an honor to be in your company, my lord and lady!"

"I'm honored to be invited into your home," Sora smiled. "Thank you for your dedication. Not just for our visit, but to Gorō-dono as well."

Emi smiled as her cheeks blushed pink. "It's my greatest blessing, my lord."

Orihime whispered in Gorō's ear. "She's very pretty."

Gorō grinned and whispered back. "You should tell her after dinner. I'm sure you will get to see her lovely smile."

The sound of running footsteps came up from behind them. Orihime looked over Gorō's broad shoulder and saw two boys dressed in their very best kimonos and hakama trying to catch their breath. A smile made its way across her face when she recognized the older boy.

"Hideki, it's you!" she said.

Hideki's eyes widened as he gawked at the red-headed girl being carried by his step-father. "I don't believe it..."

. . .

The cool evening breeze brushed against Orihime and Hideki who were now sitting outside on the exterior corridor. Since the adults were enjoying a private conversation, the children had decided to spend their time playing games in the yard until they had run out of energy.

Orihime smiled down and gently ran her fingers through the hair of sleeping child on her lap. Yuji was the first to knockout and had decided he would rather fall asleep on his new friend than his brother. It was evident since their meal that the child had taken a great liking to her and spoiled her with his undivided attention all evening. She could not remember the last time she was showered with so much affection from someone other than her brother, but she was certainly appreciative of it and currently in the best of moods.

"Why didn't you tell me you were from the Inoue?" Hideki asked, breaking the silence between them.

Orihime looked at him and realized that he was not asking her out of anger, but sensed he was perhaps a little embarrassed from earlier. "I didn't think that was important. Besides, I kind of thought you already knew who I was."

Hideki's mouth flat-lined. "All I knew was that you were a noble."

"How?"

"Because no one below your class can afford the kind of kimonos you wear."

"Oh..." she paused and sadly looked away from him. "Are you mad at me for that?"

"No, I'm not," he said assuredly. "I'm kind of glad that you and your brother are not like those other snobs. They have never been kind to me or my mother."

"I don't understand. Your mother is married to Gorō-dono so isn't she accepted?"

"My mother wasn't always married to Gorō and she never had a husband before him. She was kicked of her line of work because she could no longer be of service to the head of house."

She leaned in closer to him. "How come?"

Hideki stared at her point blankly. "Because she could not serve men and be pregnant with me."

Orihime allowed his words to sink in, causing her to slightly scoot away from him. "I'm sorry."

He scooted closer to her. "Why are you sorry?"

"Because I feel like I asked you something too personal," she said, her features filled with guilt.

He frowned. "I wouldn't have told you if I thought I couldn't trust you." He paused. "Plus…what you said earlier about bringing shame to your family…makes me believe that you might be the only person in this city who could understand me."

Orihime felt warmth in her chest and smiled at him. "Because we're both outcasts?"

He returned her smile. "Yeah."

"I think we should form our own clan!" she exclaimed. "We can ask Yuji once he wakes up to join us! Oh! And I'll introduce you to Tatsuki! She's not an outcast where she comes from, but I'm sure she won't mind joining us!"

Hideki once again gave her an incredulous look. "I don't see how this is going to work out…"

She balled her fist and winked at him. "Trust me! It will!"

. . .

I regret to inform you that we failed at forming our own clan. In fact, I think our idea got shut down once rumor got out that I was proposing a rebellion against my brother. Not sure how that happened, but everything got sorted out in the end.

Eventually, I did introduce Tatsuki to the Itos and they became fast friends. Well…Yuji and Tatsuki did. I think it took a while for her and Hideki to warm up to each other, but in the end they accepted each other.

We were all so close that every moment I had with them brought so much happiness into my life. I thought I had finally attained true freedom in the people I cherished more than anything in the world.

Until one day, I overheard a conversation at the castle…

. . .

Dark rainclouds were forming across the sky and had created a shadow over the capital.

Humming a song she had created during her calligraphy lesson, Orihime happily skipped along the puddles made from last night's storm, careful not to splash her sandaled feet into the pools of water. Her activity came to an end when she felt a sugegasa placed on top of her head and turned around to see the daimyo of Tenkū smiling down on her.

"In case it starts raining again," Sora said, "you always have to be prepared, Orihime."

The girl nodded with a cheerful grin. "Thank you!"

However, her happy countenance faded as Sora covered his mouth and released a violent fit of coughs, causing her to step forward and reach for his loose hand.

"You're sick!" she exclaimed.

Sora softly looked into her worry-filled eyes. "It's nothing to be concerned about."

Her eyebrows furrowed together. "Yes it is! You shouldn't be out here like this! I'm taking you back to your room!"

Sora followed behind the young girl leading him by the hand. "And here I thought I was the daimyo," he chuckled. "Perhaps I should pass my position onto you and settle somewhere else. Maybe I'll go to the countryside and open a tea shop..."

Orihime pouted her lips. "You're being silly, Brother! You're the only one who can be our daimyo! You know it, I know it, and the whole country knows it!"

"I thank you for your confidence in me, but I am far from being the most qualified, Orihime."

She shot at him a disapproving glare. "I don't believe that. Not at all."

Accepting her words, Sora gently squeezed his little sister's hand and continued following her lead.

Minutes later, they entered into his private chamber. Orihime was glad to see Sora's bed had remained unrolled on the floor and rushed over to tidy up the sheets and blanket.

"Where are your guards?" she asked.

"I sent them on a task." He released a cough as he lowered himself to sit on the floor next to the bed. "They will be returning shortly."

"Then I will stay with you until they come back." She saw him about to respond and quickly cut him off. "And no, you can't convince me that I am going to get sick by staying here or that I would have more fun playing outside."

The daimyo raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you get so feisty?"

Orihime flashed him a toothy grin. A knock was heard and the Inoue siblings looked toward the door to see Sora's guards, each standing alongside Miyako and a member from the elder council. Miyako and the elder man bowed toward their lord before stepping into the room.

"I see that you're feeling somewhat better," Miyako said, keeping a sharp eye on Orihime.

"Not exactly," Sora said. "Which is why I'm grateful that both of you were willing to come here on such short notice."

"I beg your pardon, my lord, but is everyone going to stay in for this meeting?" the elder asked.

Orihime knew his inquiry was directed at her and respectfully stood to her feet. "Brother, if you like, I can go ask one of the cooks to make you okayu! I'm sure you'll feel better once you had some!"

At first Sora was taken aback by the sudden change of topic, but gave her a knowing smile afterward. "Well, I am a little hungry. Be sure to include extra nori and gari for me."

The red-headed girl nodded then bowed toward the individuals standing near the doorway before making her leave from the chamber.

Once she was out of sight, Sora had dropped his smile and grimaced at the elder council member.

. . .

About an hour later, Orihime carefully ran down the corridor carrying a tray of okayu. I didn't expect it to take this long! I hope Brother's stomach isn't eating itself!

"No, I believe you are purposely trying not to understand what I'm saying!"

Hearing her brother's heightened voice, Orihime stopped and planted herself behind the shoji where she could not be seen.

"Again, I will not allow innocent people to suffer just so we can keep our resources here in the capital." he continued.

"Lord Sora, Sato-dono wants what's best for Tenkū just like you do. But you have to consider what may best for the greater good…even if that means several lives are to be risked," Miyako said.

Sora's face tensed. "I refuse to go through with your council."

"You're letting your feelings cloud your judgment!" Sato interjected then sighed. "I should not be surprised. This is no different from how you handled the situation regarding your father."

"I do not see a connection," he said defensively.

"The connection is that you are refusing to see the reality of a grave situation, just like when you allowed Lord Fuka to live out his days and die in such a dishonorable way. Or even when you took that cursed half-breed in as your own child."

He heatedly glared at the elder council member. "Enough."

"You still even fail to acknowledge that she is the reason for accelerating his untimely death. If she hadn't intruded into his chambers, or yet, if she had never been conceived through that adulterous and ungrateful wretch, Lord Fuka would be alive now and the honor of the Inoue clan would have never been tarnished or made into mockery by the other clans."

Orihime stiffened her stance yet her fingers started trembling around the tray and her throat suddenly felt dry.

"Say what you want you about my shortcomings, but refrain yourself from speaking another word about my sister," Sora said, perturbed by his relative's words.

"You cannot deny what I am saying is truth!" Sato exclaimed angrily. "For years we all had to sit back and watch you coddle that child, trying to make her fit into our family. But it will not happen. She is dangerous to you and to everyone she comes across. Remind yourself of everything that has happened because of that girl. She is a destroyer of lives, Lord Sora, and eventually she will destroy yours too."

The daimyo of Tenkū slammed the palm of his hand on the matted floor. "Silence your tongue before you find yourself without one!"

His threat had startled everyone in the room. Never before had anyone seen him lose his temper, especially not Orihime who had realized then and there that his out-of-character outburst was brought on by only one reason. Her.

Straightening her posture, she feigned a smile and quickly stepped into the room. "Brother, your meal is ready! I'm sorry it took so long!"

The silence was heavy in the room until Sora stood to his feet and walked over to where she stood. He then caressed the side of her cheek fondly.

"It's alright, Orihime. Thank you for seeing to my dinner," Sora said. "How about you retire for the evening? I'll come and visit you later."

The eleven-year old quietly nodded and allowed him to take the tray from her hands. She then glanced at her cousin Miyako, who had kept a sharp eye on her, then the council member who refused to acknowledge her presence. She then looked up at the two guards near the doorway. "Please make sure my brother gets rest and is seen by a physician in the morning."

"Yes, my lady," both guards responded with a bow.

Orihime walked away from the room, but not without giving one weak smile to Sora who responded in kind.

We're both good at acting. At least that is something we share in our blood.

And then fear hit her.

What if he had been acting in front of her this whole time? What if he had decided to take heed to the elder's words? Take heed to what everyone had been saying for years? The idea that her brother might someday think the worst of her and no longer want her in his life started to fester in her heart.

And so she ran, until she was safely in her personal chamber. Here she would be able to reaffirm her worth and remind herself that her brother and her friends would always stand by her. That she was loved for who she was and that her soul was not created into this world to destroy the lives of people.

However, even though it was hard for her to admit it, she had already brought pain and misfortune on Sora's life. If he had never taken her in, if he had just given her away or left her to die as an infant, then he would not have had to suffer. Lord Fuka would be alive and maybe he still would have ruled as daimyo. Maybe he would have found love again since her mother denied him that in the cruelest way possible. Maybe her brother would have had a normal life and settled down with a wife he loved and their children.

She then thought of Tatsuki, Hideki and their families. All of them were good people who she loved just as much as her brother. But would her bond with them bring curses upon their lives as well? It was painful enough for what she has done to Sora and the Inoue clan, but she could not bear to live with herself if anything happened to her friends because of her.

Suddenly, she ran over to her closet, pulled out a knapsack then rushed over to her dresser and picked out a few articles of clothing before stuffing them into the bag. Her mind raced for her to get out of there and go somewhere far away. Far away where she could not hurt the people she loved any longer and give them the chance to have a happy and peaceful life.

On her dresser stood the karakuri puppet Sora gave her on her eighth birthday. She remembered that she had been very happy to receive the doll which resulted in her not putting it down for weeks and even giving it a name: Enraku.

She gently picked it up and wrapped it inside one of her kimonos for safeguarding.

This will be the only gift I take with me, Brother. I don't deserve anything else you've given me.

After she tied the knapsack closed, she looked around her room to make sure she did not forget any essential items. She heard the rain start to sprinkle outside then grabbed her sugegasa to place on her head. Since she was already dressed in a simple kimono and hakama, she slipped on a pair of zōri then shut the shoji and made her escape away from the castle.

. . .

The air was cold, dark and damp around her.

Orihime trudged her feet through the mud of the once-solid dirt road. Her tabi and the edges of her hakama were becoming soiled in brown and she could feel a sneeze wanting to come out as she rubbed her arms to keep warm.

She then stared up at the moon peeking eerily through the clouds and branches of the trees. How long had she been walking? It must have been two hours, at least. A part of her wished she had taken her horse to prevent the discomfort she felt right now, but she then reminded herself that she decided not to take anything else from Sora.

She leaned against a maple tree for a well-needed break, her body exhausted from walking. She blankly stared at the rainfall that resumed again and attempted to create a game out of counting each raindrop that fell onto the ground. Once she had counted around ten thousand six hundred and forty, she ended her game and focused on her thoughts, her heart aching with melancholy.

I guess for the rain, it has no limits of where it can fall. It has an eternal connection with heaven that brings life and purity to the earth.

"Sometimes, I wish I could be like the rain…" she murmured.

"ORIHIME!"

Her eyes widening, the bellowed voice of Lord Inoue startled the girl out of her thoughts and caused her to turn around and see him swiftly approaching her on his horse. Sora brought in the reins of his horse, forcing it to come to a stop, then jumped off the animal and ran over to her. Once she was within his reach, he kneeled down and crushed her in his embrace.

"Thank the gods you're alright!" Sora said. When she did not say anything, he loosened his grip and held her at arm's length, his dark-brown eyes filled with worry and confusion. "Orihime, what are you doing out here? It's not safe for you to be walking around on your own at night."

Orihime avoided his eyes and stared at the ground. "I wanted to get away from the city."

"Tenkū is your home. Why would you want to leave?"

"Because if I don't…if I don't leave you and everyone, more bad things will happen," She paused. "And I don't want that for any of you!"

"That's ridiculous! Nothing horrible has come from you being in my life!"

"Then why do the elders always want to challenge your authority?" Orihime shouted. "How come people always look at you with pity every time you're seen with me? How come you're always weighted down with issues that are about me because I'm ridiculed and unaccepted by everyone?"

"Listen, Orihime," He softly rubbed her shoulders. "Maybe we didn't have it easy, but we always had each other to push forward! I would never trade you for anything in this world!"

Heavy tears fell from her eyes. "You don't understand! You've sacrificed way too much for me!"

"Please, Orihime-"

"Lord Fuka is dead and all because of me! If I had just listened to you and never went into his room, he wouldn't have gotten upset and risked his health! You would still have your father if it weren't for me…if I hadn't been born, you both would have been happy and not have a dirty half-breed ruin your lives!"

Sora gently shook her. "Please listen to me! Father died because he refused to live! He allowed what our mother did corrupt his soul. He sought his reality in alcohol and it eventually poisoned his blood! That's what killed him, not you!"

Orihime sobbed.

Sora tucked a wet strand of her hair behind her ear. "I never found fault in you for anything. Orihime, you were the one that kept me going, especially during our time in Edo. Because of you, I want to make positive changes for not only Tenkū, but our country. You are my inspiration to become a better person."

"But…"

"If you go-"

His words were interrupted by several harsh coughs as he heaved over and clutched his chest.

Panicking, Orihime reached forward and steadied him with her hands. "Brother? Brother!"

Sora fainted and collapsed in her arms. Orihime stared down at his pale face and noticed how flushed his cheeks had become.

We always had each other to push forward!

A few tears escaped her eyes as she wiped away the drenched bangs that clung to his face. "Because you had never looked after yourself…you were always taking care of me…"

As she stood to her feet, she lifted Sora onto her back then attempted to carry him over to his horse. The first couple of steps were challenging on her body before finally she tripped and fell onto the earth, though making sure she received most of the impact and not her brother. Frustrated over her weakness, she clenched her fingers and lifted her dirtied face up from the mud. Her brother needed to get out of this rain so his illness would not spread any further. In that moment, she realized that his life and future depended on her.

Her brow furrowed together. "You can do this…You have to do this!"

Fierce resolve burning in her heart, she stood to her feet then secured Sora over her shoulders again.

I won't let any harm come to you. I will protect you…now and always!

She took a full step forward and could feel and hear the slosh of mud and water in between her toes as her feet moved firmly down the dark road.

. . .

The first thing Sora awoken to was the bright-orange glow of morning. He then shifted his eyes onto his happily awake sister who was sitting right next to his bed with a tray.

"Good morning!" Orihime smiled. "I brought you breakfast along with some medicine the physician wants you to take. I hope you don't mind, but I smashed some of the herbs into the okayu so you can take it while you eat!"

Sora's face softened out of relief. "You're still here…"

"Of course! After all," her voice mellowing a pitch, "we have to keep pushing each other forward, right?"

He reached forward and took her hand in his. "Thank you."

Orihime gave him a lopsided smile. "I'm sorry about what I did. I promise that I'll never run away again. I know that my place is here."

Sora smiled warmly. "All is forgiven."

. . .

While my brother had some weeks to rest and better his health, I had tried to figure out what I could do to become stronger.

I can tell you that it was challenging trying to change the perception I had of myself, but I knew I had to try. Not only had my lack of confidence hurt my brother, it had been a heavy weight I carried around all my life.

Yet I can say that the bond between us was stronger than it ever was before…

. . .

Fighting with every strand that came out of her up-do, Orihime looked at her reflection in the mirror and tried to fix her intricate hairstyle. She readjusted the tama and kushi adorned in the center of her thick mane and beamed with relief that her hair decided to cooperate with her…until it collapsed into a mess around her. She irritably blew the strands off her face and heard Sora's laughter echo from the doorway.

"It's not funny!" she pouted.

"Sorry, sorry!" Sora chuckled and stepped inside her room. "Is the birthday girl just about ready for her celebration?"

"No! The birthday girl is having a bad hair day and it had to be on her birthday!"

"Don't be upset, Orihime! Here, I have an early present that I want to give you!"

Orihime looked at the cube-shaped box in his hand. "What is it?"

"Why don't you open it and see?"

She took the box out of his hand and began uncovering the material until she exposed two bright-blue hibiscus-shaped hair ornaments. Her eyes and mouth widened in awe. "They're so beautiful! And they're the same shape as the Inoue family crest!"

"Yes, I had them made just for you."

Her heart overwhelmed with joy, Orihime jumped over and embraced him around his waist. "I promise that I will wear them every day! Thank you, Brother…"

The Daimyo of Tenkū then gently took the hair ornaments out of the box and began to tuck one on each side of her hairline. "Perfect. Now, does the birthday girl still need time to fix her hair and continue to make her friends wait?"

Orihime gleefully shook her head. "Nope! I'm ready to go!"

"Then its best that we leave," he smiled.

She gave him a cheeky grin. "Only if you carry me on your back like you used to!"

Sora looked at her skeptically. "Hey, I thought you had told me that you were no longer a child."

"I did, but I will always be your little sister! And you'll always be my big brother who lifts me up!"

His eyes filled with tenderness. "Until my very last breath…"

The Inoue siblings took ahold of each other's hand then merrily walked out of the room to go celebrate Orihime's special day with their friends.

. . .

The midnight air crisped around Ulquiorra as he watched his ward trace and stare forlornly at the two hairpins clipped to her collar. She had remained in this state shortly after she had ended her tale. When he had voiced his insinuation about her bloodline, he did not expect her to entrust him with intimate details about her life.

Nevertheless, her eloquent manner of speech and becoming maturity proved that she was not as obtuse as she led people to believe. Nor was she weak.

He moved past her, keeping his eyes focused on the moonlit pond ahead. "I did not ask for you to give an account of your past."

Orihime's brow twitched and she immediately turned around so her eyes bore into Ulquiorra's back. Really? That was all he could say after she had practically bared her soul to him? "Well, too bad! You had just been given a front row look into my heart!"

"An experience I'm certain you have not withheld from others."

She pursed her lips. "Even so, I refuse to miss out on an opportunity to connect with someone! I couldn't imagine what my life would be like if I shut off my heart from people."

An impenetrable silence thickened around them, making the young daimyo wonder if she should break it.

"…Anyway, I think I'm ready to go back inside," she said.

"You are aware there are more sights within that could undoubtedly upset you," he responded flatly.

Orihime became slightly chipper over his subtle concern. "If that's the case, then you'll just have carry me back to the house!"

The General faced her, unamused. "If I have to carry you, it will be done from around your neck."

"But it would still get the job done, right?"

Ulquiorra slightly raised his brow as he watched her walk out of the pavilion and toward the castle. In that moment, he made his decision to get her confirmed as a lunatic once they were back in Naitsu.

. . .

The Daimyo of Tenkū and the General of Naitsu arrived at the front yard of the Ito house, each carrying a bag filled with the items she needed. Earlier she had made it a point to Ulquiorra that she rather they keep her friends in the dark over her impromptu trip to the castle and that they needed to be extra quiet when going inside in order not to wake anyone. Ulquiorra had then reminded her that she was the one who lacked the grace for keeping balanced footing or her mouth shut, which had earned him a swift smack on the back from the bag she carried.

"We made it. Thank you for helping me," she said, before gently taking the larger bag from him. She hesitated briefly before speaking again. "Do you have somewhere to stay?

"You do not have to concern yourself over that," he said. He then sensed her apprehension and felt like he needed to continue. "I already have shelter provided for. I will be staying at an inn near the castle."

Her countenance was somewhat downcast. "Oh…okay."

"There is one thing I ask you to tell me."

Her eyes lifted again to meet his. "Yes?"

"You did not mention your connection to the monk before in your story. Why did he give you a medicine box back in the village?"

Orihime blinked owlishly then raised her fingers to her lips and snickered. "Oh that! Well, I met Hacchi-dono at the shrine when I was fourteen years old. Since I had shown an interest in learning, he began training me in the ways of healing and medicine. In fact, at one point I thought I would try to become a physician…but circumstances have changed all that. However, I am greatly indebted to him for the knowledge I have. I'm sure it will be useful down the road."

"I see."

"Can I ask you something now?"

Ulquiorra waited.

"Actually, it's more of a request than a question…but I want the soldiers to repair the major damages in the castle then relocate their headquarters and I would like this to be done as quickly as possible. They are dishonoring an important symbol to my people and turning it into a command base will not encourage good relations between us and Naitsu."

Impenetrable silence returned again, but this time the General was the first to break it.

"Very well," he said. "I will see to what can be done."

He turned around and began walking back down the fenced trail leading away from the house. Orihime waited for him to fade into the night before opening the shoji and stepping into the house.

Once she had successfully made it into her room without waking anyone, she quietly placed her bags on the floor then lit the oil lamp on a small table set in a corner. She then placed herself on the matted floor and arranged the stack of paper, a brush and a small jar of ink from one of her bags.

After taking a moment to put her thoughts together, she started to write.

To Our Most Esteemed Tairō of Our Most Illustrious Shogun Yamamoto ~

From Orihime Inoue of Tenkū ~

I'm sorry that I haven't written you in a long time, but I hope you have been well and have taken some time to enjoy a cup of tea and watch the cherry blossoms bloom in the capital.

I come to you with grave news. I very much wish that what I'm about to say wasn't true, but I regret to inform you that Lord Sora Inoue, Our Noble and Respected Daimyo of Tenkū and Faithful Leader of the Inoue clan, has passed into the afterlife and is awaiting to cross over into the White Jade Pavilion…

Glossary:

Sugegasa - A cone-shaped straw hat.

Okayu – Rice porridge.

Gari – Pickled ginger.

Karakuri Puppet (or Karakuri Ningyō) –Roughly translates to 'mechanized puppet'. This type of doll was generally made from the 17th century until the 19th century.

Tama – A ball-shaped hair ornament used in traditional Japanese hairstyles.

Kushi – A comb used as an ornament in traditional Japanese hairstyles.

Tairō – High-ranking official in the government. Translates as 'Great Elder'.

Just Some Extra Info:

The Dan ranking system was not used for martial arts until 1883 by Kanō Jigorō. Since the year doesn't align with the era of this story, you can understand why I didn't allow Orihime to tell Ulquiorra her skill level as numeric title. In the canon, however, Orihime did tell Uryū Ishida she was considered to be Shodan (or First-Level Black Belt). Source: Manga Chapter 119. Anime Episode 42.

Disclaimer: I do not make any profit from writing this story. I'm simply borrowing Tite Kubo's characters for my sheer enjoyment.