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Hello all. I think that it's safe to say that I am mildly tearful/depressed at the moment. Why you may ask? Three reasons: the most recent Bleach chapter, (SPOILER: UWAAAHHHH! SHIRO-CHAAANNN! WHY WON'T YOU ANSWER HIM? HYORINMARU! HYORINMARUUUUUUU!TT_TT) and the Naruto chapter (SPOILER: -bawls eyes out- I'LL LOVE YOU FOR EVER TOO ITACHI! SAY IT! SAY IT TO YOUR NII-SAN DAMNIT!) -sniffle- and yeah, exams are this week too -.-" horray for procrastinating...but yeah I FOUND ANIKIN! XD
anikin: -hands over tissues- And I was so close to escaping... -depressed-
Moony:..actually, there is a another reason for my sadness, and this applies to DTR too. Me and TCWTH were freaking out because we didn't hear anything from reviewers until half a week passed :( sad moony was sad. But anywho, thanks a bunch to the anonymous reviewer and Hell's Beast for reviewing! I dedicate this to you guys :)
ONWARDS!
DISCLAIMER; I own nothing except for the plot. I wish that I owned anikin too, but obviously I dont...
anikin: thank god you don't...
moony: -GLARE-
CHAPTER 5
Dear _,
KYAAA! I have really, really, really important news! I HAVE A SECRET ADMIREER! Halibel-neesan slipped me a letter yesterday when I went to visit, ( I won't tell you about it right now, there are more important things that I have to tell you about!) and it was the sweetest thing that I've ever read! His hand writing is really pretty, and it looks strangely familiar for some reason…It looks like his own personal calligraphy! I wish that I could write like that…He talked about how Halibel-neesan suggested that he should write to me, and about how sad and lost he was feeling without me. I almost cried when I read his letter _! He told me about how traumatic it was for him, how lost he was when we were separated. He told me about how much he loves me, and he told me about myself. That sound's weird, doesn't it _? But the reason why is because he knows that I lost all of my memories. When I read it, it felt like someone had punched me in the gut. Why? Why couldn't I remember this? I feel so bad _, he loves me, but I can't remember anything about him! He didn't get a chance to finish his letter either….or sign his name…Why can't I remember? Why am I not allowedremember? Arrghh, it's all the shinigami's fault!
I spent some time with Chichi yesterday, and he told me about how horrible the shinigami were. He said that they kidnapped me from the Living World, saying that they'd kill all my friends, Tatsuki-chan, Ichigo-kun if I didn't go with them. He also told me about how they erased my memory of my friends, and of my time in Las Noches, where Chichi had hidden me for as long as possible to keep me safe. How could the shinigami be so cruel? How could they take away something like that from me! Chichi told me that they brainwashed Ichigo-kun into becoming one of them after Gin-oji and Tousen-oji rescued me! How could they! How DARE they? I'm the one they wanted, wasn't I? How could they involve Ichigo-kun? I hate them! I hate the shinigami!
…Wow…what outburst was really unlike me, wasn't it…_. That's the thing that makes me the saddest. I remember my past…But there are so many gaps in my memories. Like you. You're name, your face. I don't know who wrote the letter to me, but I know that you were just as important to me as the person who wrote the letter. The person told me about Sora-nii…apparently I told him a little about him. Now that I think about it…I miss him so much…
a-and…I miss you….
-Aizen Orihime
:-:-:-:-:
Orihime grunts as she throws the hardest punch that she can at Grimmjow's gut, her other hand held up protecting her face. Grimmjow nods, then swings his own arm to throw a hook at Orihime's head, which she quickly ducks underneath. Pivoting around her right leg, the girl throws an upwards back elbow strike to the center of Grimmjow's chest, forcing him to step back. As he does, she hooks her foot around the back of his, and pushes him down. Grimmjow hits the ground, but easily turns his fall into a backwards summersault. The two of them stare each other down for a while, then Grimmjow breaks out into a grin.
Picking himself up off the ground, he walks over and lowers himself to Orihime's eyelevel. "Those strikes actually might've tickled that time princess. Good job. You remembered the footwork too…" He praises her, patting her once on the head. Orihime beams up at him.
"Thank you nii-san." She chirps, then stands on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. But before she can, Grimmjow puts a hand on her shoulder and stops her. Orihime tilts her head in curiosity, but doesn't comment. He was okay with a kiss on her lips, but not one on the cheek? She gives him a once over, and her eyebrows knit together as she notes the dark shadows under his eyes, and his extremely unruly hair. Well, more unruly than usual. "Nii-san, daijobu desu ka?" she asks. Grimmjow shakes his head, but freezes as the sound of footsteps come up from behind her.
"Wow, I didn't know that you were going to hog little Pet-sama all to yourself Grimmjow."
Orihime turns around slowly to see the lanky, dark haired Espada looming over her. She swallows subconsciously and takes a small step back. "N-nnoitora…san?"
Nnoitora reels back, pretending to be shocked. "You hurt me, Pet-sama, why so distant? Just call me," the Espada bends and brinks his face a hair's width from Orihime's, the girl's eyes crossing as he does so. "Nnoitora." Reflexively, Orihime throws a hook punch to the side of his head. Her heart sinks as it connects and he doesn't move an inch. Anger sweeps across his features. "Oh, is that how you want to play?" He snarls, reaching to grab her wrist, but a snarl rips through the area and Orihime feels herself being thrown back. Squealing in surprise, she manages to break her fall, but when she looks up, she sees Grimmjow standing over her protectively, staring down Nnoitora, a low growl rumbling though his chest.
"Back off Spoon-spada." The Sexta Espada snarls, his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Nnoitora sneers at him. "Don't forget who won that bet bastard." Grimmjow reminds him, the cerulean haired man's rieatsu spiking for a second then returning to normal. Nnoitora looks around Grimmjow and stares down at Orihime who stares up at him defiantly. Nnoitora barks a laugh.
"She's got ya wrapped around her little finger, doesn't she?" the man laughs, throwing his head back, his mouth so wide that Orihime catches a glimpse of the number five tattooed onto his tongue. "How did I know? You're more like Ul-!" Nnoitora's sentence ends in a grunt as Grimmjow socks him in the gut.
"Get. The. Hell. Out. Now. Got it?" Nnoitora gives him a weird look, then turns on his heel.
"Bastard…"
Grimmjow sighs tiredly, as he steps away so that Orihime can get off the ground. Orihime glances at him curiously. "What was that all about?" Grimmjow doesn't answer, shaking his head cryptically. Orihime pouts and was about to pester him about it when she hears someone clear their throat in their background.
"Please forgive Nnoitora-sama for behaving so Orihime-sama. He isn't exactly having a good day today."
Orihime whirls around and smashes into another person's chest. "Itai!" She exclaims, rocking back instinctively. Too far back. Grimmjow shouts in warning as she begins to fall, but another pair of hands catches her before she can.
Looking up, she makes eye contact with a single gray eye framed by dirty blonde hair. There is a circlet shaped like a small upper jaw resting on their forehead, as well as an eyepatch covering their right eye. "Ah, gomenasai gozaimasu." He apoligizes. "Ano, hello Orihime-sama. I haven't introduced myself before, now have I? My name is Tesra Lindorcruz, quincuagésimo Arrancar. Fraccion of Nnoitora-sama"
"O-oh! I remember you, you were at the meeting weren't you?" Orihime recalls seeing him standing in the shadows, not saying a word. "Pleased to meet you too!" She smiles up at him hesitantly, but then her eyes widen as she locks on another of his features. Specifically, his estigma. It's nothing very special, nor eye catching like Grimmjow's. However there was one thing that made it stand out to Orihime. And that was its colour: a pale green, similar to the colour of mint. Orihime blinks rapidly as she remembers the letter that she had received, and how she seemed to know that the colour green was associated with that person. Green? Is this the Green that I am looking for?
Orihime steps back with a blush, and peeks up at Tesra shyly. Tesra looks slightly bemused, and he reaches out to brush the hair that had fallen into her eyes out of her face, when Grimmjow grabs his wrist.
"Aren't you going to go follow the King of Spoons?" He snaps harshly, giving the other Arrancar the dirtiest look.
Tesra shrugs, "Aizen-sama told us that it was our turn to get to know Orihime-sama. Considering the fact that you have been monopolizing her time for several days, he said that it would be alright if we were to join you." As he says this, his gaze keeps shifting back and forth between Orihime and Grimmjow. Orihime looks away, and fidgets, feeling his gaze on her.
"It's okay Grimmjow-nii. Tesra-kun can watch…can't he?" She asks hopefully. Grimmjow turns to her, and seems to be debating with himself, but eventually sighs.
He walks back to where he was originally standing, muttering angrily all the while. "You won't take 'no' for an answer, would you?" he asks grumpily, running a hand through his hair. Orihime smiles sheepishly.
"Argh, fine. But just this once."
:-:-:-:-:
"Here. It is getting late. I will walk Orihime-sama to her room." Tesra stands and offers a hand to Orihime, who is sweating and panting from the spar. She beams at him, and is about to take his hand when Grimmjow knocks her feet out from under her, then lifting her up to carry her bridal style.
"I've got it."
Tesra gives Grimmjow a weird look. "You do not have to concern yourself Grimmjow-sama, I assure you that I am completely able to safely bring Orihime-sama to her quarters." Orihime looks up at her nii-san as well, and she sees a wide array of emotion in his eyes.
"I told you, I've got it." He growls, then begins marching off.
Orihime bites her lip uncertainly, "Eto, Grimmjow-niisan, I-I agree with Tesra-kun. You seem to be very tired anyway…" As she says this, her eyes flick towards the Arrancar, noting that he doesn't protest against the familiar honorific use.
"No."
As Grimmjow walks away with her in his arms, Orihime strains her neck to peek around him, giving the dirty-blonde one last look. Orihime gives the Arrancar who is watching them disappear into another hall one last smile, to which he returns with a small wave.
Grimmjow carries her in silence for some time, but then unusually, he breaks the silence first. "I don't want you spending time with either of them alone. Understand?" he says as he continues walking.
"Nani?"
"And I mean it. No spending time alone with either of them. And if they ever come to you asking to spend time with you, make sure that you call me first. Or Ggio, if he's not too busy being a stuck up bastard to watch you. Hell, even Yuki for God's sake, just make sure that you're never alone."
"Wait, what? Who's Yuki?" Orihime asks in confusion. "Nii-san, you're not making any sense."
Grimmjow shakes his head, "Yuki, pale girl. Anó-something. Emiko's sister. What's her face."
A (metaphorical) light bulb appears over Orihime's head. "Anónimo-chan? You nick-named her Yuki? That makes so much sense! Good idea!" She says tapping her fist into her palm.
"Yeah, whatever. Just promise me okay?" Grimmjow stops in the middle of the hall and looks down at her. Orihime opens her mouth to ask why, when Grimmjow interrupts her. "Just promise me alright? I'll always come to protect you, just swear that you'll call for me."
"A-alright nii-san. I promise." Orihime vows. They stand there silently for a couple more moments when Orihime finally screws up the courage to ask. "But…why?"
Grimmjow looks away. "It's the least I can do for Ul-!" Grimmjow stops midsentence, glancing around frantically. "Never mind. Forget I said anything."
"No! You can't just leave me hanging like that! Nii-san! Nii-san, tell me!" Orihime pushes against Grimmjow's chest to no avail. "Tell me!"
"Yea, why don't ya tell her Grimmy-kuuun."
Grimmjow whirls around and flinches. "Ichimaru…" He growls, his grip around Orihime tightening as the smiling man comes closer.
"Konba wa. It's late, ne? What are you doing out at this hour Hime-chan? Did Grimmy-kun kidnap you to do naughty things together?" Gin tilts his head to the side, taping his chin thoughtfully.
"Urusai teme! Why don't you go back to Aizen-sama and-"
Gin leans forwards and impossibly his grin becomes even larger and Grimmjow takes a step backwards. "Speaking of Aizen-sama, I heard that he's a-looking for ya Grimmy-kun. Might wanna head over to the throne room to see why, ne?" Grimmjow opens his mouth to protest, when Gin wags a finger in his face. "Ah, ah, ahhh. You think I'm lying, don't you?" the corner of Gin's lips drop down, and he gives them both a puppy dog face. "Your lack of trust hurts me…but oh, well, you're loss if I'm telling the truth…" Gin shrugs and unwillingly, Grimmjow sets Orihime down onto her feet.
"You can get back to your room from here, right?" He asks, his concern easy to see.
Orihime smiles at him. "You baby me too much nii-san. I'll be fine." She assures him, and Gin comes up from behind her, and hugs her. Orihime turns and tries not to flinch.
"That's right Grimmy-kun, you baby her too much! Don't worry, I'll keep her nice and safe."
Grimmjow gives Gin a death glare, and finally leaves, continually glancing back at her until she cannot see him.
Gin then holds out a hand to Orihime. "Well Hime-chan? You coming along?" He asks cheekily. Orihime takes his hand and tries not to shiver at his strange and piercing gaze. "Something wrong Hime-chan? You seem…unsettled."
Orihime laughs nervously and shakes her head as they continue walking through the corridors. "It's nothing Gin-oji."
Gin nods knowingly. "I see…Well, I bet that it's just your nerves! But no need to worry, ne?" he snickers. "Besides. It's not like you're hiding something for Aizen-sama and the rest of us, so silly, don't you think?"
Orihime forces herself to laugh. "Heeheehee, silly, I know." She says, trying to hide her nervousness. H-how does he know about the letters? I didn't tell Chichi, but I'm not supposed to tell others about secret admirers, right? Ahhhh, what should I do?
The two of them finally stop outside of Orihime's room. Gin pats her head affectionately. "Nighty night Hime-chan. I expect to see you around…" Gin saunters off, leaving Orihime confused and more than a little bit worried…
Ehh, shorter-ish than usual... but hey: Interesting development is interesting...Hope you liked it and please dear readers REVIEW!
-moony