Chapter 8

Orihime was sitting on a chair, staring at the crescent moon outside the window. She gave a long and wearily sigh. A week ago she went to Hueco Mundo when she was mad at her friends for accusing and making assumptions about Grimmjow. She crashed and burned every hope she had that might, or possibly, could at least let her friends see what is beyond this rivalry. On the other hand, nothing has changed. She watched how he got into a fight with Ichigo, the anger, the cursing and the blood lust. Some things never changed.

There were no more tension glances and nervous moment when Ulquiorra appeared and took Grimmjow away with him. At least the fight has ended. But now, she did not contact him, except not knowing what to say to him. She felt conflicted and confused. Normal people spend time together, talked to each other, hang out a few times and then confession came naturally.

Nobody blamed her, nobody criticized her, nobody ignored her. Her friends never mentioned a word about her friendship with Grimmjow. Back then, they made her feel anger, sadness, helpless. But that didn't made her feel any better.

Even after everything. Grimmow always found a way into her head. His touch burns in her memory, his kiss made her unable to retain herself and his glance always made her heart skipped a beat. He was just a man, no different from others, yet he stood out in the crowd and caught her attention. She wanted answers herself. She wanted answers why she felt the distant pain in her chest remained.

"Orihime..." She finally heard Ichigo behind her.

He came closer and focused on her. "Its about time. We should leave now."

Orihime nodded and stood up quietly.

An event was put on tonight by a fashion designer to showcase his upcoming line of clothing. The entrance was packed with people, there were medias, famous celebrities and important successful entrepreneurs being invited. The camera flashlights has been flashing non stoppable and medias continued taking pictures with loud snapping sounds, notifying the moment has been captured. There were no spiteful glances nor awkward atmosphere between Shinigami and Arrancar. But a quiet truce. Everyone sat on their seats being organized, shortly watched the latest collection being presented and until an end was wrapped up.

And now, everyone enjoyed themselves at the after party. Grimmjow looked at his surroundings. He saw many faces yet they were not the ones he was searching for. After everything that has happened, she still managed to drive him insane. Grimmjow walked around wandering where she could have been. He saw Orihime sat between Kurosaki Ichigo and Abarai Renji on the opposite side at the event tonight. It didn't took him long when his and Orihime's eyes met for a second, and seeing her saying something to an unfamiliar Shinigami he has never seen before.

He saw her coming to his way and continued looking at her in silent anticipation.

"Are you sure your friends won't mind about this?"

She noticed he was looking at Ichigo and Renji standing together with the rest of the Shinigami at the other side of the room.

She looked back at him. "I wanted to see you."

"Come with me." He ordered.

Grimmjow took her by the hand and left the party. They existed the room and started down the corridor.

Everything was quiet, white and identical, completely different to where they were minutes ago. Being able to hold her hand made Grimmjow felt like his heat would jump out of his chest at any moment, yet, he chuckled how this woman had such an effect on him. He turned to the corner and soon came up to a set of transparent glass door. At this point, they needed some privacy where no one would disturb them or interrupted their conversation. He certainly wanted to spend time with her, but things never went smooth as he thought. Grimmjow pushed the doors and stepped inside the terrace. This outta do it.

He turned his head seeing Orihime standing in the doorway.

A second ticked before she spoke again. "I'm sorry about last time."

"Sorry about avoiding my calls and texts or sorry about the fight?"

"Both. I didn't know what to tell when you contacted me. And I apologize for how impulsive Ichigo was."

"Kurosaki is a dumbass after all."

"He just wants to protect me."

"Doesn't matter whatever reason was. I'll fucking kill em all."

Orihime cast an uncertain glance at Grimmjow. "Why do you fight with people, Grimmjow?"

"Do you need any other reason to fight?"

"Isn't it meaningless to just fight...?" She asked somewhat worried. "To Ichigo, Rukia is a very important person and thats why he fought you. He fights for the sake to protect people, who are important to him."

"People who are important..." Grimmjow repeated. "Am I important to you?" He didn't mean to ask it and was surprised at what he said a moment ago.

Orihime remained silent, while her mind raced.

Grimmjow ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

I can't fucking believe this...

Grimmjow couldn't look at her anymore. He wanted to say something else, but changed his mind, finally turning away to leave.

"Wait!" Orihime called after him. "Don't go."

He stopped and looked behind him. What the hell do you want?

Orihime came up to him and hesitated for a mere moment. "You're also important to me." She answered and those words worked like a magic on him.

"Why is it impossible for me to catch you?" His voice was barely a whisper.

Grimmjow locked his gaze down at Orihime. This woman. Yes, his woman, or so he thought. Why did he want to know? More importantly her answer brought back strange sensation. He wasn't sure how to handle. These skyrocketing emotions were still fresh and hard for him to deal with. If she could only imagined how much he had to hold back himself. She turned his world upside down. All his affections and desires has been possessed only to her, she was everything.

Their face were dangerously close as she looked into those crystal blue abyss. He was in front of her, yet, there were something strange in the way he looked at her. She has never saw this side of him. Desire, longing and frustration, all mixed up in one single emotion and felt like he was getting restless.

"This love is killing me." He murmured against her ears.

Orihime knew what he meant. She took his face into hers and gently pressed her lips against his.

"Don't play with fire" He groaned somewhat in pain.

She smiled a little. "I'm not."

"I won't be able to control myself."

Without giving it a second thought Grimmjow encircled his arms around Orihime and pulled her harder against him. He will not let her go. She will not leave him. Grimmjow kissed her softly, so different to those passionate kisses he used give her. He continued putting light kisses along, and down to her neck. Ever since he first laid his eyes on Orihime, there was something special about her that he couldn't quite explain, yet, out of curiosity, he never expected himself to be attached to a single person. He knew lust, but pure lust lacked passion, it did not arouse emotion. However, she made him felt many things he had never experienced, the look she gave him had a meaning, the words she told him gave him a purpose. And he just wants this woman all by himself.

Orihime moaned at the unbearable sensation. Grimmjow was consuming her with every touch. His hands roaming on her breast then on her stomach and on her thighs. Orihime saw his lips part as Grimmjow tried to speak, but she silenced him with her lips closing tightly on his. Despite he's blunt, laid-back and sometimes disrespectful for saying whatever is on his mind no matter what. He manages to push her to the edge of the cliff and made her felt something sink inside.

He pulled her against the wall and unzipped her dress, until her bare skin has been revealed. Grimmjow ran his tongue around her already erect nipples, letting the overwhelming sensation washed over her. His hands continued gripping her thighs and pulled her dress up to her waist.

"Grim... Grimmjow." She moaned, feeling her skin burning.

He stopped upon hearing his name and observed her reaction. "You're gonna enjoy this. "

His mouth came down on her breasts again, sucking it deeper and continued adding up the sensations to climax. And it began. She shivered, she purred and she lusted at the sweet torture he was delivering to her. His palms glided up and down her thighs to her hip, finally sliding his fingers into her warmth. The noises she produced aroused him more, and further increased the speed. She was incredibly wet, breathing heavily and ached her back upwards. As soon as a sudden scream was heard made him realized that she was close to release, without any hesitation he spread her legs and brought his mouth down, tasting her sweetness and sliding his tongue between her folds.

"Ah! Grimmjow." She cried and sank her fingers into his hair.

Her chest was pounding. Her chest was overflowing and her breathe quickened.

Everywhere his hands pressed it stimulated. Everywhere his mouth touched it burned.

Orihime closed her eyes. She should've stayed a distance from him, just like her friends told her so, or, never bothered to talk to him however from the very first sight. She had lost miserably to him. The lower bit of her stomach began to build tension, making her shiver in this sensation she aroused. He made her feel on cloud nine and no one could made her feel this good. He always managed to figure her out from just one single look, that damn look. There was no more denying or running away from now on, nonetheless, it took her a while to understand that she was absolutely in love with Grimmjow. And now, his mouth found hers.

They kissed hungrily, impatiently and demanding.

Their love was hot. It has burned them, crashed them and eventually killed them for desperately craving each others.

Suddenly Orihime purred loudly as soon as he was in, and feeling him pushing it all in once. She was used to sweet, gentle and slow sex, but tonight it was a different matter. Wild, forceful and unreserved, he held back nothing and allowing his instinct to take over. Grimmjow shoved himself once deeper insider her and groaned at the pure elastic pleasure, she was damn tight and wet. He picked up the pace and taken the lead. Slide in, slide out and his hand raised her up and down. His body trembled, his breath quickened, his hip thrusted and echoed her movements with his own. They rocked together. Orihime felt her mind going blank. She squeezed her legs tightly around him and titled her face upward to kiss him.

Grimmjow wanted, no, he needed more. His finger dug deeper into her hips thrusting again and again until he found her most sensitive spot. She gasped and brought her arms around his neck clinging to his warmth. He knew he is close, they're both close. Grimmjow could feel it coming as he snuggled into her neck. His heart beat plummeted in a flood of mixed emotions, the result was more than he could bear. In such a short amount of time Orihime become his whole life. This woman took everything away and implemented her within him - in his soul, in his blood, in his heart. She was everywhere. Never in his life did he ever imagined where he was right now. As he took in every curve and shapes of hers, watching and feeling her climax as he followed with his own. Grimmjow gave one final push releasing inside of her then gradually stopped to catch his breath.

Seconds ticked into eternity and he gazed her underneath him. Her lips, red and swollen from his kiss. Her chest, rapidly raised and fell.

Grimmjow grinned and leaned forward granting her one last kiss.

"Orihime. Are you okay?"

Orihime snapped from her own thoughts and saw a worried Ichigo.

"Yeah. I'm fine, just a bit tired."

"I'll go get you some water to refresh up. Stay here."

"I can get it by myself. No worries."

"But..."

"I'll be back shortly." Orihime responded and disappeared into the crowd.

After she left. Rukia came up standing next to Ichigo. "She doesn't seem right to me."

"I kinda of noticed that."

"Should we go after her?"

"Let's keep an eye on her. I don't want her to get mad about me fussing around."

Rukia nodded, crossing her arms and leaned against the wall.

Ichigo observed her for a while before speaking. "I'm glad that we are still friends."

Rukia looked at him in puzzlement. He was saying something strange.

"You were always my friend and gender never matter among friends. I never found out and you would eventually let it rest. After all these years I had no idea about your feelings. I'm sorry."

Seeing the emotions crossing on his face, she finally averted her eyes.

"I don't know what else to say, aside from apologizing."

"What are you afraid of? That I'll cry and ignore you?" Rukia finally spoke.

"I..."

"You think I'll turn my head and walk away from you? Since you couldn't return back with the same feeling I had for you, then that's a selfish love." Rukia stated and stared blankly at the people in front of her.

"You can't mean that you..."

"You don't have to worry about it now. It did hurt at the beginning, but I don't blame you."

Then she turned back to Ichigo. "Did you told her yet?"

Ichigo shook his head. "I'll tell her after the winter war. She has been through too much things lately. All those fights and Arrancars. I don't want to cause her any troublesome."

"And another thing, what are we going to do about Grimmjow?" Rukia pointed out. "Remembered how she defended him last time and was fed up with us."

"Of course I do. But I don't understand it, why would she considered him as a friend?"

"But you gotta admit, he has been giving her strange looks since the winter war was announced."

"And that look somewhat pissed me off."

"Maybe we should talk to him. Other than our causal fights what else do we know about him? Nothing."

"But he nearly killed you! Have you forgotten it."

"Although he did, but its strictly forbidden to fight against each others now. "

Rukia heard Ichigo gave a heavy sigh.

"I wander what does she sees in him apart of being an Arrancar, a rival and a dangerous man."

"So thats it." Ichigo said. "We are going to talk to that arrogant guy."

"Unless you have a better idea."

"We could talk to Orihime instead."

"Says the one that went after her last time, and nothing was solved."

Ichigo looked at her wearily, but did not object.

"We will talk to Grimmjow and get everything sorted as soon as possible."

Grimmjow had returned back to the party. He paid little attention to the harsh words about the Shinigami since he did not expect much from Nnorita and Yammy, regarding them mocking to their enemy. Stark showed no interest to make any comments, and, the other two were not far behind. But they sure were not that annoyed with the Shingami's presence. Ulquiorra had his pocket face and hands in pocket as always. Harribel on the other hand, remained quiet as usual. But it didn't matter, as long as they don't interfere with an accidental Shiigami. This woman belongs to him. No one is allowed to touch her, not even a bit and if they did, he will haunt them down.

Grimmjow remained silent turning his head away and stared at the crescent moon hanging up on the sky. And then he thought about what she said to him. Has she finally acknowledge her feelings? Or his effort for her to accept was not in vain? That was he problem he couldn't find a solution to. But Grimmjow knew better. Orihime was an angel who lived in the sun, and he was a demon meant to stay in the darkness of the world where she did not belong. Yet, he still yearn desperately for her. There were some things that were not meant, but he tried to snatch it.

He heard footsteps coming. The unwelcome guests did not need to announce themselves. Because from the sneers around his surroundings, must be the Shinigami.

"Well. Look who is this." Grimmjow smirked and reveal the interrupters' identical. "Kurosaki Ichigo and Kuchiki Rukia."

"We're not here for any fight, but to talk." Rukia was the first to speak.

"Talk? Tch. Don't be stupid." Grimmjow mocked.

Ichigo nearly lost his temper and yelled, but was stopped by Rukia.

"Its about Orihime."

Grimmjow stared perilously and finally spoke. "Then lets talk."

Orihme smiled faintly to people who has greeted her on the party, but her heart was racing. She had to make sure everything was fine before returning back. The encounter with Grimmjow was an unexpected development that brought their relationship into a new level. They had sex more and it seemed like she's not refusing him that much than before. The past two months seemed like a dream. And every time Orihime looked at magazines or TV featuring Grimmjow, sometimes she wondered if everything they did really happened. Never in her life did she ever imagine to be where she is right now.

With a sigh of relief she slowed down to find a corner only to collect her emotions. Orihime was left alone watching her friends and the Arrancars roaming around the room. Orihime already knew that Grimmjow loves her, yet it seemed like there was another meaning to what he thinks. But she did not dare to question. Resolving to separate her from Shinigami was his priority. Yet, no matter what he decided for herself, the thoughts of him never leave her. Orihime got up forcing herself not to look back at the last place where she saw him.

"Perhaps..." She said to herself. "Time will solve it."

Then from the corner of her eyes, there were Rukia, Ichigo and Grimmjow. Wait. Grimmjow?! The three of them soon disappeared from her sight. Where are they going? Most importantly, why would they be together? Orihime quickly took her steps and followed behind.

"You must heard the news. We take it."

Ruck's voice broke the silence at the patio.

"So, you've finally decide to take some actions to protect your princess?"

"We don't have a reason to fight you."

"What do you mean?"

"Even though we are rivals, you, personally didn't hurt her."

Grimmjow paused for a spilt while. Kuchiki Rukia sure is smarter and reasonable comparing to Kurosaki.

"What if I told you that, she belongs to me and I want her?" He said, turning his head looking straight at Ichigo.

"Nonsense! She's part of the Shinigami." Ichigo yelled in protested.

"She might be marked as a Shinigami, but her body and heart doesn't belongs there."

"You bastard! What have done to her! Leave her alone!"

Grimmjow was satisfied with Ichigo's reaction, he roared into laughter. This feels great. So damn great. It was the only thing he wanted, and the only thing he could. The desire to declare his relationship with Orihime and seeing Ichigo nearly driven by anger and jealously.

"How she blushed when I looked at her, how she tasted when I kissed her and how she moaned my name when I was consuming my love to her."

Grimmjow glanced at him, not betraying a single emotion. "She is not the girl, you've known anymore."

Ichigo's temper was at its limit, and without another word ran to Grimmjow. He could not believe this guy laid his hands on Orihime, the most precious person he ever value. And that pissed Ichigo off to no way. But before he could ram his fist, he heard familiar voice behind them.

"Ichigo, what are you doing! what's going on?" Orihime asked, her gaze switching to Rukia. "What's the meaning of this?"

"Was just telling them that you're mine, my woman." Grimmjow said before Ichigo could respond.

Ichigo looked at Orihime. "Is it true? Everything he just said."

Grimmjow moved his gaze to Orihime. "Tell them."

"It is." She replied.

"Inoue..." Rukia half whispered shaking her head in denial.

Ichigo looked at her in astonishment.

"You betrayed us once again..."

"I did not betrayed anyone. I-"

But before she could finish, Ichigo interrupted her.

"I've had enough of this! I don't care what you did with Orihime, but she is coming with us." He said, turning to grab and drag her away.

However Grimmjow was a step faster, blocking his way.

"Its useless." He said coldly. "She's outta your reach and control."

"I need to talk to Orihime."

"So talk."'

"You stay out of this."

"She's not leaving with you."

"Shut up! Get outta my way!" Ichigo gritted his teeth.

While Grimmjow is busy yelling something to Ichigo, Orihime came up to Grimmjow and took his hand.

"Can you let us talk alone. Please?..." She pleaded him.

Grimmjow did not look at her, but felt she felt him squeezing her hand. "You know where I will be."

"Thank you." She said quietly, fixing her gaze to Rukia. "Do you mind to leave as well?"

"I understand." Rukia responded and turned.

"So thats it. You and Grimmjow."

Orihime was looking at the ground not saying anything.

"You betrayed and lied again. You guys were never just friends!"

She sighed but did not let his words get to her. "Its now my turn to do something for myself."

She is not the girl, you've known before. Grimmjow's word rang in his head.

Ichigo did not respond and silently watched the moonlight dancing in her eyes.

"I wished we had more time." She said gently. "And not discussing about this at such circumstance."

"You tricked me from the very beginning."

"I can't always rely on you when there's a problem."

"Of course you can!" Ichigo raised his voice.

He finally came up to her. She quietly looked at his face. He turned his eyes to her. She saw hurt, determination, sadness.

"Do you know why big brother are born first?" She heard him spoke again. "To protect the little ones that come after them."

"I... I'm sorry." She spoke nervously.

"I don't want your apologize. I don't want to hear you apologizing for that man after what he did."

"Nii-san." Orihime reached for him and Ichigo held her hands tightly.

"No." His voice sounded so determined. "I'm not your brother."

There was confusion flicked in her eyes.

"I was never your brother."

Ichigo couldn't stop himself.

"We're not blood related." He finally told her.

The cool night wind never felt this chill. Orihime froze and her mind couldn't function properly.

"And I've been using this big brother character, not allowing any guys to approach you because I have always loved you. There's never been anyone else."