Hey guys, here's another chapter for you! Now I'll admit, this chapter is one of my wrost ones so far and for that I sincerely apologize. But this chapter is a catalyst. It gets things moving so just bare with me please. I'll post a new chaptet as soon as I'm able. So with out further ado.

Enjoy!

Her heart frozen in fear. All semblance of air completely left her body, she was suffocating but she didn't even know it. Time stood still as she stared, frozen in that one spot. She should've known that something terrible would happen today. She should have known that it would. All signs pointed to a terrible event, but she ignored each and every one of them. She tried to swallow but there was absolutely no moisture in her mouth. Her long, red tresses whipped about her face in a fierce way, but never obscuring her view of the monster in front of her.

"It's been a while…Princess."

!

Three days earlier…

"Wow Tatsuki! I'm so proud of you! I'm really happy for you as well!" screamed Orihime jumping up and down, attracting the attention of all males within the café. Tatsuki blushed brightly, a smile on her face.

"Thank you Orihime. I couldn't believe it when I found out,"

"What do you mean that you couldn't believe it?! You're an amazing fighter; the best there is in Karakura! Probably the world!"

"This is just the junior division. But some day, someday I will fight in the professional division," she said dreamily.

"Oh Tatsuki I know you will!" Orihime was so full of joy; she didn't know what to do with herself. "OH I KNOW, WE HAVE TO CELEBRATE!"

"ORIHIME! Lower your voice, you're attracting attention," Tatsuki said looking around. When someone shushed them she got irritated. "Hey! Mind your own damn business!" she yelled .

"Oops! Sorry Tatsuki!, sorry sir!" Orihime tried to calm herself.

"Orihime that's a woman,"

"OOPS! I mean mam! I mean sorry mam!" Orihime face burned a bright red, she sunk down further into her seat, embarrassed.

Tatsuki chuckled. " Man, I know I am going to miss moments like this," she said laughing at Orihime's mistake.
"But really, Tatsuki, we should do something to celebrate you're going away, I really whished you'd told me sooner! I can't throw a party deserving of you in less than three days!"

"Orihime, you know how I feel about big parties…" but she was already lost to the buxom beauty as she rambled off numbering the multiple things that would need to be done for Tatsukis party.

I expected her to bawl her eyes out and beg me not to go. What was I thinking? She's going to be fine, she's going to be okay. I can leave without a heavy heart. Tatsuki smiled and listen to her friend ramble on and on.

!

"So can I count on you to come?" Orihime asked into her phone. It was her third one that month. For some reasons, phones didn't like her and she was always losing them, or breaking them or something of the like.

"Why of course! And you can put Gin on the list too. He's home for the weekend and we were just talking about what we wanted to do and now here you are throwing a party and it like 'Hey now we know what to do for the weekend' I mean I had other plans, you know, one of the sexual nature but that is okay to and all that jazz." She started laughing, she'd lost Orihime half-way through her long ramble and so Orihime had no idea at all what she was talking about.

"Um…Okay Rangiku, well, I need to make some more calls, so see you there!" she hung up and dialed Momo.

"Hello, Momo? Hi this is Orihime."

"Oh yes, Hello Orihime is everything well?"

"Yes it is and how are you?"

"Very good thank you. The weather is most beautiful out today. I'm taking a stroll out to enjoy this beautiful weather,"

"You know that sounds like a wonderful idea! The weather is very beautiful, it sunny and the skies are clear!"

" Uh Huh, that's why I decided to come out for a walk today. If you want, I could come over and we could go for a walk together."

"That would be great! It isn't too much trouble for you is it?"

"No, not at all. It feels really good out and I don't mind walking. Besides, I'm not that far away from you."

"Okay, I'll see you then."

"Alright bye." The phone disconnected. Orihime sighed contently thinking to herself what a great friend Momo was. "Augh! I WAS SUPPOSED TO INVITE HER TO TATSUKI'S PARTY!" she screamed to herself. The fumbled with her phone as she called Momo and conveyed her plans for Tatsukis' party. Next on her list was Rukia.

"Hello."

"Hi Rukia, it's me Orihime!"

"I already know who it is, my phone has this great new invention call caller id. It really comes in handy," Rukia said snarkily. Orihime laughed, unaware that she's just been insulted.

"You're funny Rukia. But any, I was calling to see if you could come to a party that I'm throwing in Tatsukis' honor. She's leaving for Germany next month for a national karate championship for the next two weeks. It's a real honor that she's been chosen and I would like to celebrate it," there was silence on the other line for quite a while.

"When is the party?"

"In 2 days."

"That's a really short time to invite someone to a party. Why didn't you think to do this ahead of time?" Rukia scolded her.

"Well…that's because I just found out today that she was accepted into the tournament and that she was leaving,"

"Isn't she supposed to be your best friend? How is it that you didn't know something so important about your best friend? Apparently, you're not as great as a friend as you think you is," Rukia stated. That hit Orihime to the core. It's true, for the past week, she has been a little caught up in herself. She hasn't spared really any thought to Tatsuki like she should have. She's been so worried about her past coming to light that she didn't even realize that her best friend was doing something really exciting.

"…you're right…I have been a bad friend," her voice trembled.

"And you think that this party is going to absolve your past crimes of being a terrible friend?" Orihime felt a weight crush her heart. She didn't mean for the party to be that. She just truly wanted to celebrate Tatsuki for being chosen to fight. It was an incredible honor.

"No, that's not what I think at all!" she protested.

"You want to know what I think-HEY! GIVE THAT BACK!"

"SHUT THE HELL UP RUKIA. COULD YOU PLEASE FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE NOT BE A BITCH TO SOMEONE?!" a new voice on the line yelled.

"GIVE ME MY FUCKING PHONE YOU ASSHOLE. WHY ARE LISTENING IN MY CONVERSATION IN THE FIRST DAMN PLACE?!"

"I CAN HEAR YOU MAKING AN ASS OF YOURSELF!" she heard Rukia gasped.

"GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY YOU CAME OVER HERE. GET OUT!"

"FINE!" some doors were slammed. She heard the sound of glass crashing against drywall. The phone disconnected. Orihime decided to make another phone call.

"Hello," an angry voice registered.

"…um…Ichigo…"

"Oh, Orihime," instantly his voice soften and lost the angry edge to it. "What is it, what's going on?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to thank you for…for defending me against Rukia. You really didn't have to. It's not like she was wrong in what she was saying,"

"Wait, that was YOU she was demeaning on the phone? Oh for the love of God! YOU?!" his voice took on the angry tone again. She was afraid that he was mad at her.

"…yes…I'm throwing a party for Tatsuki and-"

"How on earth can she call you a terrible friend? I thought she was talking about Rangiku or even Hinamori! But you of all people? She really must've lost her mind. Orihime listen, you're not a terrible friend, and you're a great one. Tatsuki is incredibly lucky to have you as a friend. Rukia just doesn't know what a good friend is because she's never been one. I'm sorry she did that to you, I'm just…really sorry. "

"Oh, you don't have to apologize for Rukia, its okay really," she blushed, a faint smile played upon her lips.

"So, why did you call her?"

"Um, oh, it was to invite her to a party that I'm throwing for Tatsuki. She's been accepted into the National Karate Championship and I wanted to celebrate it Orihime style!"

"That sounds amazing, Of course I'll be there. And I'll make sure that Rukia is there too."

"Thank you so much Ichigo!"

"No problem. So are you going to need help with anything?"

"Um, I could use some help decorating on the day of the event, and since you're a lot taller than me then it would really help if you came."

"I'll be there."

"Alright, see you then."

"See you," there was silence.

"Um…Ichigo are you still on the line" she asked meekly.

"Um…yeah, sorry," he cupped the back of his neck nervously, still unwilling to get off the phone, blushing a bright red. There was silence again. She laughed nervously, as did he. Then there was a light beeping on her phone alerting her that there was another call.

"Oh. It seems that I have an incoming call…goodbye…Ichigo…" she said softly and a bit sadly.

"Oh…well, bye," the line disconnected. He sighed sadly, much to his surprise. He didn't understand how things ended up like this. He had chosen Rukia over Orihime. That's why he was at her house dealing with her insanely sticking up his ass brother. Rukia had a lot of flaws, but he felt that she completed him in a way that Orihime didn't. He truly felt that he wanted Rukia and that those feelings for Orihime were shallow at best.

But then, he hears her going off on some poor sap and he couldn't take it. Then he finds out that that poor sap was Orihime and he went completely ballistic. What's wrong with him! He'd made his choice and he was sure of it! Wasn't he?

!

The next day, Orihime was preparing for the party with Rangiku, Momo, Ichigo, Saddo, Renji, Uryu, and Ulquiorra. The others couldn't come until later because they were working, and this party was short notice. But Orihime was still extremely happy with the turnout.

"Rangiku, are you sure you have a tight hold on the ladder?" Momo asked nervously as she tied streamers in the trees. Rangiku was busy texting Gin on her phone, hardly paying any attention at all to Momo's worries.

"Sure Momo, I got you, and I promise not to look under your dress" she snickered. Momo sincerely regretted wearing her white flowered pattern sun dress and then volunteering to hang streamers with Rangiku.

"Dear God, please let me make it through today and I promise to study more," she prayed, fearing the worst. She spotted white hair and black hair obscured under a red hat making its way towards them. "Hey! It's little Shiro and his girlfriend!" she yelled excitedly. Ichigo ears perked up in irritation. He had to once again remind himself that there was nothing wrong with Toshiro, except the fact that he was dating his younger sister.

He nearly went into shock once he saw what she was wearing. He rushed over to her immediately, taking off his jacket to cover her.

"What the hell are you wearing?!" he shouted at her.

"What are you talking about," she asked calmly, folding her arms.

"That!" he gestured towards her body and waved crazily. Toshiro snorted, and rolled his eyes at the outraged teen. "And just what the hell are you snorting at you jerk?!" he yelled at the white haired boy genius.

"There isn't anything wrong with what she's wearing, you're just over reacting," he commented.

"She looks like a prostitute!"

"I'm wearing the same thing as Orihime and she fills it out way better than I do!" she shouted in return. He faltered for a moment, it was true. His sister was wearing shorts that came mid-thigh and a white V-neck t-shirt. Orihime donned also, a pair dark washed jean shorts that came mid-thigh but instead of a white shirt, she wore a bright yellow shirt, complemented with black heeled ankle boots, and her long burnt-red tresses were up in a high ponytail. She did feel the outfit out a lot better than his sister, but that was because she was Orihime. Karin was…Karin. She was his sister, she wasn't supposed fill anything out any way.

"If you'd stop ogling her for one second you might be able to notice that that guy she's with doesn't seem to mind what she's wearing and you shouldn't care what I'm wearing, " and with that, she and Toshiro left. That's when he noticed that Orihime was with Ulquiorra. They were blowing up balloons together, both of their faces were red and they were laughing. He felt the cold hands of jealousy grip his heart and give it a painful squeeze.

Ulquiorra released the air out of one balloon into her face, she laughed harder than he'd ever seen since he knew her. Jealously tightened its icy grip around his heart. He wanted to hurt something. A roll of streamers hit him in the head. A laughing Renji was spotted behind a tree. He would do.

!

"Geez! What's the matter with you!" Renji moaned in pain. He was on the ground, clutching his stomach and his fore in intense pain. Ichigo flexed his fingers, a satisfied smile played upon his lips.

"Would you guys stop being dorks for one second and start setting up the table!" yelled Rangiku.

"Yeah, you guys are making us be way behind schedule with your goofing off," scolded Uryu.

"Stuff it Uryu, before I make your glasses a permanent part of your face!" shouted Ichigo.

"How about I just beat the idiot out of you Ichigo and maybe you'll learn a little lesson in life," threatened Uryu.

"That doesn't even make any sense you asshole!" Ichigo replied.

"Would you guys just stop being juvenile and just get to work," said an irritated Toshiro.

"Hey! I'm not talking to you, you perverted bastard!"

"Hey don't talk to my boyfriend that way!"

"Stop calling him that!"

"Ichigo, I swear whenever we do something with you it always goes horribly wrong," Rangiku said sadly. Renji laughed. "I don't know what you find so funny Renji, it seems that you can never concentrate when your boyfriend is around," she said sneakily.

"What the hell!? I'M NOT GAY! AND I CAN DO WAY BETTER THAT CARROT TOP OVER HERE!"

"Really! You're talking about my hair? Your hair is the color of a strawberry with the shape of a pineapple," Ichigo commented.

"I think he dyed his hair to match your name," snickered Rangiku.

"Rangiku! Please, stop hitting the ladder!" panicked Momo.

"So what's happening fellas," joined in Keigo's. "Aw man do you see what Orihime is wearing?! If only those shorts were a bit shorter!"

"I know right? Man would I like a piece of that action," Commented Ikkaku as came with Yumichika.

"She does look extraordinarily beautiful. Simple yet elegant," Yumichika commented.

"Hey! Stop talking about her like that!" yelled Ichigo.

"Hey what's going on?" Orihime and Ulquiorra joined their group, bags of balloons in tow. "Oh you guys made it!" she said excitedly when she spotted Keigo's, Ikkaku , Yumichika and Chizuru. Chizuru made a beeline for Orihime and began to grope her. Keigo's closed his eyes in jealousy.

"Oh Orihime I missed your body so much! Whoa, it seems that someone has gotten a bit then due to her illness the past week, this won't do at all!" she continued her harassed assault on the beauty. Finally, Rangiku took pity on the poor girl and knocked Chizuru off her.

"Please show some class, we are trying to get a party together," she said flipping her hair.

Through all this, Saddo just stared and continued decorating, shaking his head at his friends shanagins.

!

Finally, a few hours later, the party was ready. Black and blue streamers decorated the trees, and the multiple tables that Uryu rented for the party. White Christmas lights were wrapped around the trees, the D.J station was set up, and so was the food station which was filled with an assortment of rice balls, sushi, and cakes. Balloons littered the trees as well.

Orihime sighed in a satisfied way. She was totally happy with the results of their hard labor since 10 that morning.

"Thank you guys so much for all of your help, you have no idea how much this will mean to Tatsuki!" she wanted to cry in gratitude for all the help that she received. She was applauded for her thank you speech. "Alright, Saddo and I are going to get the guest of honor, so enjoy yourselves, you really deserve it!" she waved as she stepped off the stage and made her way to Saddo. Surprisingly, he was the one who offered to go with her to get Tatsuki. In fact, he insisted. She wasn't going to deny him because it was weird for Saddo to be insistent about anything.

They walked in silence to Tatsuki house, her mind on Ulquiorra. She had forgotten how much fun she had with him back in America. They fell right into their old routine; it was as if nothing happened. As if they were still in that old abandoned warehouse with the Arrancar. He still could make her laugh with his gentle humor, and make her feel special with his soft spoken questioning voice, as if she was the only person he wanted to talk to.

She was smiling to herself when another thought barged into her brain. A thought with broad shoulders, amber eyes, shocking hair and a permanent scowl. Ichigo. Ichigo was the complete opposite of Ulquiorra. Where Ulquiorra was pale, quiet and gentle, Ichigo was tanned, loud and rough. But the main difference between the two, unbelievably amazing guys was that Ichigo was taken. And Ulquiorra was not. She'd already made that mistake once, and she promises herself that she wouldn't ever do it again.

They made to Tatsukis' house with no difficulties, she was ready to go before they even knocked on the door. She looks beautiful, Orihime thought, taking in her friend short black sport dress, her wild inky black spikes, a golden charm bracelet that glinted delicately on her wrist, black ballet flats, and the bare minimum of make-up. It seems simple, but for Tatsuki, this was going all out.

"Oh my gosh Tatsuki! You look so beautiful! I can't believe that you dressed up!" gushed Orihime. Tatsuki blushed, stealing a glance at Saddo. He stared at her under his hair. He wanted nothing more than to sweep the slender, spikey haired girl up into his arms and kiss her. But with them both being uncomfortable with PDA, he settle for telling her that she looked pretty, which made her blushed a brighter scarlet.

They made their way back to the party, which was already going in full swing. Tatsuki was congratulated by all, hugs and kisses were exchanged. Laughter and fun was had by all, all except for one. Ichigo. He stared, or rather, glared at Ulquiorra as he laughed with Orihime. As he talked to her, danced with her, touched her. Holding her small, curvaceous body close to his as they danced to a slow, sensual song. It was driving him insane. He wasn't even paying attention to Rukia and how she seemed to dance sensual with every other boy that wasn't in a committed relationship, most likely to make him jealous.

But he didn't care about any of that, the only thing he cared about was now leaving with that bastard into the woods! He paced, unsure what to do with himself, running his hands through his orange locks furiously. He let out a sigh in frustration and followed them into the woods.

!

Her face burned red, her face hurt from all of the smiling that she was doing. She didn't think that that was possible, but yet, here she is. Ulquiorra is a fantastic dancer, he claims it's his Latino blood. He spun her around the dance floor effortlessly, he assisted her in swaying her hips in rhythm to the music. It felt so fantastic, it was so much fun! She began to feel hot and sweaty, so he suggested that they go somewhere to cool down.

He leads them into the woods and they sat on a broken tree. They could still see the party from where they were, but were doubtful if anyone could see them. She took a deep breath took her hair down from its high pony with plans to redo it.

"I'd forgotten how good of a dancer you were," she said breathlessly fanning herself.

"I'd forgotten how bad of a dancer you were," he said with a small chuckle.

"I'm not bad, I have golden moves that put all others to shame!" she exclaimed.

"Oh yeah, because 'the sprinkler' really is a superior move," he snorted. She shoved him playfully, and he wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug. She squealed in delight as he stood up and swung her around, mimicking the sprinkler with her body. He deposited her on her feet gently, and leaned against her laughing.

The laughing settled to a chuckle, she looked into his green eyes, full of life and humor. He would only ever be this way around her, no one else, as far as she knew. They leaned toward each other until their lips touched. It was everything she remembered. His lips were cool and gentle and tender. It felt as though cooling salve was put on a burn she didn't even know she had, comfortable, soothing.

She sighed into the kiss contently. But suddenly, she was yanked away from Ulquiorra. She was disoriented and confused as she rubbed her sore shoulder that had been yanked in order to separate her from Ulquiorra. She looked up and saw a seething Ichigo land a punch squarely on Ulquiorra's jaw. She gasped in surprise.

"Ulquiorra!" she started towards him to help him, but Ichigo grabbed her again and pulled her behind him deeper into the woods.

"Ichigo! Ichigo what's wrong, why did you hit Ulquiorra?" she asked breathlessly. Trying to get to the bottom of Ichigo's strange outburst and walk through dark woods without falling was a lot more difficult than one would think. "Ichigo, please, wait one minute. Ichigo, please, turn around!" she pleaded. It seemed as though he wasn't listen to her. Finally, he stopped dragging her and turned to face her. She flinched at his look. His eyes were wild and angry, and maybe, but she couldn't really tell in the dark, but they looked as if he was hurt.

"Ichigo, what's wrong?" she asked, concern laced her voice. She was about to ask again when he didn't reply, but she did get the chance. The next thing she knew, he'd covered her lips with his own.

She was completely floored for a few moments, then she realized what was happening and tried to reject him by pushing against his very broad, very strong chest. After a few, very short moments of struggling, she felt herself give in to the kiss. If kissing Ulquiorra was like soothing balm on a burn, then Ichigo was like being drenched in gasoline and set on fire. She felt this kiss deeply in her bones. All of her nerves were set ablaze as his mouth completely devoured hers. He pushed her back into a tree, never breaking the kiss, one hand trailed from her shoulder and tangled itself in her silken locks. He pulled her hair, pulling her head back, deepening the kiss. His other hand trailed down to her thigh and wrapped it around him, pinning her deeper into the tree.

She couldn't for the life of her remember why this was wrong. Hell, she was having trouble even tightly. She felt her body of its own mind, grind against him. She felt every nerve ending of her body alight with flame. Desire pooled heavily in her stomach and the area below that. She began to feel light headed, whether it was from the lack of oxygen or Ichigo's touch, she couldn't discern. He released her lips, and started making work on her neck. She moaned out loud in pleasure. Delicious shivers raced down her back, towards her nether regions.

This is wrong…what they're doing…it's wrong…but why?...why…Rukia!

"NO!" she screamed and pushed him off of her. She was so angry, and hurt, she slapped him as hard as she possibly could. He looked stunned for a moment not realizing what had just happen. She glared at him, breathing heavily.

He has a girlfriend! She's my friend! I refuse to be anyone's slut! I'm not a slut!. Tears burn her eyes, her body trembles from the emotions that wracked through her body. She bit her lip hard to keep the tears from falling and looked away from him. He didn't want her in the way she wanted him, so why did he have to hurt her like this. Her heart collapsed in itself. She ran away from him, covering her mouth to muffle her cries that escaped. She can't believe that she'd been used once again.

!

He was the asshole of the century. He punched the tree as hard as he could. How is it possible that he could be this big of an ass and still be able to breathe!

"What the hell is wrong with me?!" he shouted at no one. He doesn't know what possessed him to follow them into the woods. He doesn't know what possessed him to break them up, to hit Ulquiorra, to kiss Orihime. He kissed Orihime. HE KISSED ORIHIME! The one thing he wasn't supposed to do and he did it. It was so incredibly wrong of him to do something so stupid! But damn!...did kissing her had to feel just so fucking right?

It was as if he was a starving man, he soft, buttery lips, that soft creamy skin, that silken hair! It felt as though he was on fire, kissing her was highly addictive, and instead of thinking of how wrong it was, he was contemplating on how to do it again.

But then, she slapped him and she looked so hurt. Like he betrayed her. He did betray her, he also betrayed Rukia. He cheated on her. God! How much of a shit head can he possibly be? There were tears in her eyes. The absolute last thing that he would ever want to do is make Orihime sad, let alone make her cry. Yet somehow he managed to do just that. He was the world's largest shit head.

!

Tatsukis party ended on a good note. Uryu hired a maid service to do clean up so that they could all just go home. Tatsuki left with Saddo, Orihime and Ulquiorra walked home together in companionable silence. They both had a lot on their minds, so not much was said. When they got to their apartment, they said goodnight, both going their separate ways. A night that was fun had turned sour and awkward because of Ichigo.

Orihime shut her door and leaned against it and sighed. Her heart still hurt, but she put on a brave face for Tatsuki. The last thing she wanted to be ruin Tatsuki night and cloud her mind when she had to leave the next day. She sighed again and took off her shorts as she made her way to her couch. She was exhausted. She turned on the television and pulled the couch blanket around her. As she drifted off to sleep, the last thing on her mind was hot roaming, fiery trail of hot kisses, and amber eyes.

Hours later she was awoken to a knock on her door. She jolted out of her sleep and fell on the floor. She sleepily got up and shuffled to the door, opening it, sleep still in her eyes, her mind slightly distorted. On the other side of the door was none other than Ichigo Kurosaki.

Or so she thought, she was still a bit confused and sleepy.

"Ichigo? Is that you?" she asked rubbing her eyes. He looked at her and then blushed furiously and looked away. She wondered what made him so flustered and looked down to realize that she weren't wearing any pants.

"AHIEE!" she screeched and slammed her door shut. She ran to the living and spotted her shorts on the couch. She grabs them and hurriedly throws them on. Embarrassment colored her face. She walked back to the door, and reluctantly opens it.

"Come on in," she mumbles.

"Actually, do you mind coming out here with me?" he asked quietly. She stepped outside and closed the door behind her, following him to the railing as they overlooked the houses by her apartment.

They were silent for a long time, memories of what transpired earlier flitted through both of their minds.

"Orihime…I'm really sorry about what happened earlier…about what I did. I was wrong and perverted and it won't happen again. I don't know what came over me, but regardless of what was going through my mind, I shouldn't have done that to you. You're a really amazing and kind person and I took advantage of you.

"You're not some plaything to be toyed with. You're a human being with feelings and emotions and didn't mean to stomp on them. I was an ass. I'm sorry." He looked her deeply in her eyes and she could see the sincerity in his beautiful amber eyes. Her heart swelled at the apology. He didn't see her as a slut, he was truly sorry about his behavior. She gave him a large bright smile.

"I forgive you Ichigo…thank you," she didn't know that an apology would make her feel so good. A look of relief visibly swept through him. She could see that he had bags under his eyes, and his hair was a mess. Well, more so than usual.

"Don't worry about Rukia…I'll tell her what I did tomorrow after Tatsuki leaves," he stated.

"Oh Ichigo, really, you don't have to-"

"No, it's the least I can do. Not only did I wrong you but I wronged her as well. She deserves to know, and don't worry, I'm sure she won't be angry with you. You did nothing wrong, it was completely my fault."

Although his words were reassuring, the feelings that his conversation with Rukia would end well were non-existent.

!

Orihime waved goodbye to her best friend as she left through the terminal gate. She would miss Tatsuki more than anyone would ever know. But it would only be for 2 weeks, and she could handle 2 weeks without her constant companion by her side.

She felt tears prick behind her eyes. She dabbed at them with a tissue. She promised Tatsuki she wouldn't cry.

She left the airport and went into town. She saw pair sneakers that she was sure Tatsuki would love. She was going to buy them as a congratulations present for when Tatsuki wins her tournament. She was sure that she would win. She was Tatsuki, she was undefeated. She was looking through store windows when she felt a pair of eyes upon her. Slowly she turned around.

Her heart frozen in fear. All semblance of air completely left her body, she was suffocating but she didn't even know it. Time stood still as she stared, frozen in that one spot. She should've known that something terrible would happen today. She should have known that it would. All signs pointed to a terrible event, but she ignored each and every one of them. She tried to swallow but there was absolutely no moisture in her mouth. Her long, red tresses whipped about her face in a fierce way, but never obscuring her view of the monster in front of her.

"It's been a while…Princess."

"Aizen!"

BOOM CLIFF HANGER! Hahahaha, I'm evil.