A/N: Thank you everyone who's supported my story.
copperheadfightingninja (Thanks for updating & dedicating FWY to moi.) bloodyrose1294. hotteybobody. Lumchan123. Lady Natsume. MiNdless R0GuE. empty-spaces. Shigur3'. x-Baby-Grimm-x. PameRulez. El Timo. HeartfeltHitokiri. And last but not least, Garret-Is-Mine.
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Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Bleach or any of its characters.
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Chapter 3
Scene 1
"The preparations are almost ready Sir."
"Very well."
"Are they helping us as agreed? Do you think they'd back out?"
"No, I trust them. We need our allies in tough times like this. Especially when we're up against the Aizen Clan. Everything will go as planned."
"Yes Sir."
It's been a full year preparation of surprise attack against the Aizen Clan. Finally, they would be able to overthrow them.
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Scene 2
Tatsuki stared incredulously at the 7 years old boy who was sobbing a fountain of tears.
It wasn't my fault he didn't block my punch, well, punches…
The crying halted immediately and his furrowed brows disappeared as his eyes widened and his lips curved into a huge smile at the beautiful honey-hair woman by the do-jang entrance.
"Kaa-san! You're early." He exclaimed happily.
"Yes my darling. We have some guests tonight. They're going to be staying with us over the weekend."
"Alright, let's go home!" He said, overly eager to leave the do-jang.
Holding his mum's hand as they walked home, he said.
"I don't want to learn Taekwon-do anymore."
"Alright Ichigo." His mother smiled warmly at him.
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Ichigo was clean and dressed up in his new clothes. He happily hop behind his parents to the lounge where they were to meet the guests.
He was always a good obedient boy. But today, he was exceptionally quiet and still in his seat as he stared at the guests. It was as if he were stuck and couldn't look away.
Masaki felt her son tugging at the sleeves of her sakura printed yukata. Giving him a smile as she leaned closer to him.
"Kaa-san! Kaa-san! Is that an angel?" He whispered to her ears.
Masaki giggled and glanced at the little girl with short orange locks sitting opposite her son. She had beautiful large eyes and wore a permanent smile on her cute little mouth. She was well behaved and was very cheerful and bubbly, which endeared her to the host family immediately.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Masaki glanced at her son.
Before he could form a reply…
"She's very beautiful indeed, my son! Why don't you ask her to be your girlfriend?" Isshin, his crazy dad said out loud.
Ichigo blushed profusely and his face turned into a scowl, his brows furrow and he stared at the ground intently, praying that it'd open up and swallow him.
His parents and the guests broke into laughter, and while the girl at the age of 4 had no idea who they were talking about. She couldn't help but giggle when she noticed how interesting the boy sitting in front of her was. He had orange hair like hers, but his was brighter. And the scowl he currently wore was funny.
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"Kaa-san! Where are the guests?"
"My son is looking for his girlfriend!" Isshin teased.
"She is playing in the garden with your cousin and his friends." Masaki said.
"I'm going to join them!"
"But you never played with your cousins! You find their games childish remember?" Isshin asked in a bemused tone.
"Whatever, old man. Cya later Kaa-san!"
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"Look! You have such bright hair! But your parents have dark hair. Are you really their daughter?"
The small girl gasped.
They continued teasing her about her hair and started pulling it.
Her eyes were filled with tears but she fought hard to stop them from falling.
"Oi! Stop that." Ichigo pushed them away and stood in front of her protectively.
"You guys have the same weird orange hair!"
"Shinji! Your friends are rude! Get them out of here before I tel-"
"What a spoil-sport! Whatever.. Bye!"
"Are you alright?"
Wipping the tears away, she beamed at Ichigo and nodded her head.
"T-thank you for saving me."
"Sorry I'm late. Next time I'll definitely protect you."
"Eh? You don't have to. But t-thank you anyway." She bowed and gave him the sweetest smile he'd ever seen. A smile he'd never forget.
"What's your name?"
"My name is…"
"Ichigo!"
"Huh? Who are y-"
"Oi Ichigo!! Wake the hell up!"
The next thing he knew was that he had fallen onto the ground, realising that it was just a dream. But it seem so real, he was sure it happened many years ago when he was a young boy.
Rubbing his eyes, he was faced with a very angry looking Tatsuki.
"Tatsuki! What the hell?" he frowned and glared at her.
"I'm utterly disappointed in you Ichigo!" Tatsuki pulled the collar of his pyjama shirt.
"I know you and the boys have "habits". Normally you'd use girls that throw themselves at you or those who actually sell their 'services'. But Inoue… she's neither! This is wrong!"
And Tatsuki sent him a punch in his face.
"Well she's mine! What I do with her is none of your business! Stop concerning yourself with me."
"You're such a jerk!"
"Get out of my room!"
Tatsuki stomped out of his room, slamming his bedroom door.
Ichigo's face was in its state of frown.
He hated to admit that a part of him still had some conscience that was telling him that Tatsuki was right. He had many sex partners before but he never forced himself on any girl. Girls stand in line to be with him.
He hated to acknowledge the guilt that sank in every time he saw her tears when he claimed her. But when he saw her, he just couldn't control himself. It wasn't his fault that she was so desirable.
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Scene 3
Inoue roamed the streets of the village, caught up in the hustling of the market place and shop houses, children playing on the side walks. Her thoughts involuntarily drifted to a certain orange-haired man.
Ichigo didn't visit her following 'that' night.
To be more precise, since she begged him to fuck her the night she had been drugged by Gin.
"Do you want me?" he rammed continuously into her.
"Ooh Yes! Don't stop! Ichigo!" she was lost in pleasure.
"You like this? Mmrrpph!" his ego swelled.
"Harder! Ichigo! You're amazing!"
"Do you want more?"
"Yes! Please, ride me faster! Ngarrrhh!"
"As you wish."
Pushing the memory away, she remembered that she was just a fuck-toy to him, probably one of his many fuck-toys.
She had expected him to show up in her room each night, each time she was relief that he didn't show up.
Maybe he got bored and forgot all about her.
It was a living nightmare she wanted to escape that won't go away. She was haunted by the past, of what he had done to her. And there was traitorous part in her that was disappointed that he'd stopped visiting her.
She didn't understand why it bothered her that right after that night, he'd suddenly pushed her away so quickly like she was disposable.
She didn't understand why she missed him in absence, why she was upset that he was soon going to war.
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"Owwhiee.. Gomen-" Inoue was in pain as she had bumped into a tall frame dressed in grey when taking a left turn, obviously not paying attention to where she was going.
"You should look wh-" the man's sentence trailed off when he saw how beautiful the girl was as his eyes gleamed with lust as he lowered his gaze to her body.
"Wow, what's a beauty like you doing here? Alone? Need some company?"
She turned around but another man in blue quickly pulled her so her back would be on his chest, he arms wrapped around her pinning her arms to her sides in the embrace.
"Let me go!" Inoue struggled as she was pull further into the street. "Help!"
"We'll let you go after we have some fun!" Said the man in blue who was holding her.
The earlier man in grey stood in front of her, his lifted her chin to him and with his other hand he ripped the front of her green yukata open, exposing her breasts clad in white bra.
Inoue continue screaming and kicking while the man chuckled evilly.
"My my, look! She has such huge tits!"
"Just our luck!" The man behind her laughed, his hot breath on her neck.
The man then gasped hard leaning forward almost falling. She felt his grip loosen then letting go. She dropped to the ground and fell on the floor due to suddenly losing the muscle over her legs. She pushed herself up using her arms.
Growling in pain, the man turned around to look at the attacker. Once he did he got another hard punch to his stomach, and he growled in pain.
"Are you alright?" the attacker said.
"Ichigo!" she gasped.
Inoue nodded while pulling her yukata close.
Right then the man in grey held up a knife. He threw himself at Ichigo with a full force punch. Ichigo dodge the attack and blocked the knife with his arm while sending a kick to the man. Twisting the man's arms, the knife fell on the floor.
"Scram! Before I have you bastards locked up in prison." Ichigo glared at the men who limped away.
"You're bleeding!" Inoue stared at his right arm, trickling with blood.
"Don't worry. It's nothing." Ichigo flinched but Inoue had saw it.
She tore a strip of cloth from the hem of her yukata and wrapped it around his arm to stop the bleeding.
"Where the hell is Tatsuki?" he muttered angrily.
"It's not her fault. She told me to stay home while she had to some matters at the do-jang but I…"
"Baka! Don't you ever roam the streets alone again! You're asking for trouble!" His brows furrowed.
"I'm sorry Ichigo." Inoue's eyes were downcast as she hugged herself, pulling her yukata closer.
He scooped her up and placed her on Zangetsu, his sleek black horse. The whole journey back to Aizen manor was silent. Sitting sideways in front of Ichigo, she stole glances at him and then noticed that he had a scowl on his face that won't go away.
The journey back to Aizen Manor was painfully quiet.
But once they reach, there was a commotion. Everyone was fussing over Ichigo's wounded arm despite him assuring them that it was not a big deal.
"You alright hun?" Ran and Nel had appeared beside her.
Inoue nodded with her gaze still on Ichigo.
"Is there anything I can help?" Slowing tearing her eyes to face the girls, Inoue asked earnestly. "Is he still mad at me?"
"I know what will do the trick!" Ran gave Nel a wink.
Inoue mindlessly followed Ran and Nel's lead her to the bathroom so she could prepare a bath for Ichigo. Luke warm water filled the tub as bubbles emerged, the scent of musky vanilla filled the room.
Ran and Nel had lit the room with soothing aroma tea light candles and left. Inoue observed that the bathroom was thrice the size of her own bathroom. There was a luxuriously decorated sink and mirror that separated the toilet area from the bath tub and the clear glass door shower.
Inoue turned off the tap and placed one hand in the water. The warm water felt so good.
It would be at the perfect temperature by the time Ichigo arrived.
And speak of the devil.
As he walked to the side of the bath tub, she stood up slowly, contemplating if she should excuse herself now.
Inoue noticed that he had his wounded right arm properly bandaged, but she wondered how he would manage.
Inoue also noticed that his brows were still furrowed.
"Are you just going to stand there?" Ichigo said dryly without looking at her. "Undress me."
"Hai!" Inoue blurted out almost immediately, and undid his shirt.
But Inoue didn't appreciate how she also noticed the muscles on his back when she removed his shirt.
Moving in front of him, she unzipped his pants and knelt down to pull his trousers down as he stepped out of his pants. Slowly reaching for the dark navy boxers… her cheeks were burning.
It's not like I haven't seen him naked.
But it was the first time she had to undress him. Normally he'd do the honors of stripping both himself and for her.
Ichigo went into the tub while Inoue placed all his clothing in the laundry basket by the sink. He glanced at her impatiently while she fidget with the cloth of her yukata.
With his right hand bandaged, I should probably...
"What's taking you so long?" Ichigo's frustrated voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Eh?" she cursed her luck.
But he got injured because of me.
If he hadn't save m-
"Take off your damned clothes and come bathe me."
Removing her green yukata, she placed it over the sink, before walking to the tub behind Ichigo.
"I'll wash your hair first?"
When he did not respond, she reached for the shampoo and started washing his orange mane.
Her minds drifted off as her hands continued to massage the back of his head. She knew someone with bleach orange hair a long time ago… she found it familiar when she first met him after being captured.
He tilt his head to have her wash away the shampoo. After that she reached for a sponge to scrub his back. But she shrieked when Ichigo used only one hand to pull her into the tub. Water splashing everywhere when she clumsily landed in the tub sitting on his lap.
"I wasn't done with your back." She avoided his eyes but she could feel his intense gaze on her.
He chuckled at how cute she look unconsciously biting her lower lip and her cheeks slightly flushed, her hair falling loosely from the messy bun she had wore. Her white bra was soaked wet and see-through.
She tensed to feel him unclasped her bra and threw it on the floor. Taking the sponge from her, he began scrubbing her smooth creamy back.
"T-thank you for saving me." she whispered, desperate to ignore the fact that he was now gently rubbing her chest.
Ichigo pulled her closer to lick her neck teasingly before biting on that spot. The spot that he knew would drive her crazy, and he smirked in pride when she responded with moans.
Then he bit down on her shoulder blade, wanting to brand her as his. He thought about how mad he was earlier on when she was lost in the market. His bit was drawing a very dark mark.
"If I hadn't arrived earlier…" his shaky voice trailed off at the sickening thought.
Then he pulled her body closer and bit on her other shoulder as he pinched her right nipple so hard that she whimpered in pain.
"Ne, are you mad at me?"
He refused to acknowledge her pain and he ignored the guilt that was crawling in his skin. But he bent down to kiss her nipple softly, and then licked her shoulder soothingly.
"I'm not mad. I ju-" his brows furrowed "I'd have killed those two men if they had done what they wanted with you."
"Wha… Oh…" her soft voice whispered "Thank you."
Somehow what he said comforted her, she felt secured and protected when she was with him.
No I didn't just think that about him.
The flickering candle light shone on their tantalizing bodies. He pulled her closer to engage her lips in a deep long kiss. She placed her hands on his shoulders for support. Her soft rounded breasts rubbed on his sculpted chest. His body between her kneels as she knelt in front of him.
It made her body tingle with desire from the pain now overpowered by pleasure. She tilted her head as she arched her body into his form when his hands were roaming her body.
Grabbing her right hand with his left, he brought it down around his manhood.
"Mmhh.. Ichi-" she gasped against his lips.
Pushing her panties down, he then inserted his finger into her, while rubbing her clit with his thumb.
Inoue tightened her gripped and quickly stroked his mind away, causing his moans to get louder and he'd return the favor by increasing the speed and force of his fingers. He was pleased to feel how wet and sticky she was underneath.
"Inoue!" She was so turned on that she used both hands to squeeze him… alternating the speed and force around his manhood, making him pant in pleasure.
Soon after, they came in spasms. Surprising her, he broke the kiss, closing his eyes he leaned against the bath tub.
All too suddenly, he got out of the bathtub and dried him hair with a towel before putting on a clean blue bath robe. Leaving her in the tub, she was hit with an all too familiar sense of emptiness and shame as her breath slowed down.
"Use this." He gestured to the set of clean towel and fresh bath robe folded on the shelf where he had took his set from.
"H-hai." Inoue waited for him to leave the bathroom before pulling herself out to dry herself and put on the bath robe. The thick wool material felt warm and fuzzy.
Walking to his bedroom, she saw that he had nested himself on the bed.
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Scene 4
The next morning, Ichigo led the Aizen troops out to battle.
"Tatsuki… will they be alright?"
"Hmm? I hope so." Tatsuki sighed as she pressed her lips firmly.
She looked out of the window and into the rain.
"Inoue.. I'm so sorry about what happened yesterday."
"It's not your fault Tatsuki." Inoue waved her hands frantically in front of her as she put up a wide smile.
"Good thing you were not harmed or I'll never live with the guilt. But I won't live long anyway 'cos Ichigo would have slaughtered me!"
"It was a good thing he reached in time."
Inoue did not know what else to say.
"Just like a superhero?"
"Who?"
"Ichigo! Of cos."
Inoue laughed awkwardly. She wouldn't imagine him to be her superhero like the village did. But he definitely saved her. Not only did he stop being a monster, he'd stopped taking her since 'that' night.
"And I gave him a beating for forcing himself on you."
Tatsuki is so cool.
Is that why Ichigo had not visited her at night?
Is that why he did not take her to his bed last night?
No silly! It's because he's sick of your body. You mean nothing to him.
"If you get to know him better, you'll know the scowl he puts on is just a mask. If it weren't for that day…"
"W-what happened?" Inoue mentally chided herself for being nosey, it's not like she cared about him, right?
"His parents were murdered when he was seven. He thought it was his fault that he couldn't protect them. So he vowed to become stronger, to protect this village and this clan."
"He was left all alone and his uncle Sousuke only took him in years after."
Inoue pressed her lips firmly together. Somehow she felt sorry for the boy. She remembered Tatsuki said he used to be his mommy's boy.
"Inoue… what's your name?"
"Huh?"
"We know you're from Inoue Clan but what's your first name?"
"Orihime."
"Can I call you Orihime?"
"Of cos, Tatsuki!"
This time Inoue chuckled inwardly when she pictured a little boy with bright orange hair and his permanent scowl.
Something bout his face, she found endearing.
No, she did not just think that!
The truth was, she did, even if she would never admit it.
Ichigo, I feel like I understand you a little more.
He had lost his parents at a young age like herself. But she had an elder brother to take care of her. Her heart cringed at the thought of her late brother.
Sora-nii-sama.. I hope you're at a better place.. Don't worry about me.
She stared out the window to see that the summer rain was tapping on her windowsill.
If I were the rain, would I be able to bind the hearts of two persons together?
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End.
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I pray that you've enjoyed the fast update. I apologize for the lack of lemon which some of u seem to LOVE. Hopefully, I managed to capture more emotions and thoughts in this chapter.
I plan to update 'Le Hollow de L'Opera' next.
~ Blitch out.