Author's Notes:
I corrected the previous chapter on Yamamoto's role. Japan has a Prime Minister not a President. Sorry!
Jadasimone16 – I truly want to flush out a lot more characters especially the Sternritters, however they have not grown on me as much yet lol. But I will introduce a few of the Sternritters in a later chapter. Their roles might be small, but they'll be there.
Tipipkd – Stick around some more, I got you *smile* and thank you!
Cindy Oakenshield – Yes, I agree majority of Asian women are conservative about their sexuality but there is a handful that don't stand by that tradition. Orihime is also a prisoner suffering from the psychological issue of Stockholm Syndrome. Hopefully this chapter will help you understand her change.
Sweetykinz – Ichigo wouldn't dare! *Highly Appalled* Ichigo vs Ulquiorra is right around the corner. And never… Grimmjow is downright evil. *shrugs* he might be worse than you expect.
Freecookiesreal – I won't do that to Orihime and thank you!
Orihime's Lover – I think you're the only one who loves the scene between Orihime and Ulquiorra lol. In the future I might do a story on the three of them IchiHimeUlqu fanfic just for you.
Mature Content ahead.
Enjoy!
"Crawl inside this body - find me where I am most ruined. Love me there…
…I'm sure there are aspects of my personality buried within me that will surface as soon as I know I am completely loved."
Jerzy Kosiński, The Devil Tree
Weakness
Ichigo walked into the small pub blowing on his hands to warm them up. The men and women hanging out this late were enjoying their time. The men were playing pool with some ladies and talking loudly at who was losing. It was a known area of Aizen's goons who previously worked with him. They ranked in different sizes and races. Ichigo looked around for a good spot to sit with less people. They barely acknowledged him when he took a seat at the bar. He unbuttoned his coat as his eyes darted to the people next to him. There were two couples on each of his sides. One heavily making out while the other was feeling each other up under the counter. He waved over the bartender for a drink.
He was throwing a towel over his shoulder when he approached Ichigo. "What can I get you?" he asked, leaning his hands on the counter.
"Double malt whiskey, neat." He nodded impressed before turning around to make it. Ichigo took out his phone seeing a message from Mizuiro. He sent him the images of each man who are regulars at the pub and Aizen's old bodyguards.
He took a quick scan after the bartender gave him his drink. Turning around in his stool, his eyes roamed over each person memorizing where they were. Turning back around he waved for another glass of whiskey. With everyone not paying much attention, Ichigo took out his two guns and began screwing each with their silencers. Tucking one under his arms with his coat hiding it and the other on his lap, he downed the new drink so it can give him the liquid courage to rampage alone.
When the main target entered, Ichigo sighed out in relief and got to work.
Two bullets hit his guards, and another round of bullets hit each man at their respective tables. They were all dropping like flies. Screams began ringing in the air as blood poured from their heads. Women scrambled to the walls and under tables hiding from the massacre befalling before their eyes. Men were taking out their guns swinging their heads back and forth looking for the culprit.
Ichigo switched to his other gun and spun around shooting at each man. His target spotted Ichigo.
"He's at the bar!" The remaining men turned towards Ichigo and began berating the bar with bullets. Ichigo quickly dodged out of the way and hid under tables reloading his pistols. Two women shrieked at him crawling into a convenient hiding spot. He put his finger to his lips shushing them.
He picked up a large beer shard and used it to reflect where each enemy stood. They creeped closer to him, but he quickly threw the shard glass to a wall behind them distracting their movements.
With their backs turned, Ichigo stood up with both guns drawn and shot each of their brains out. Screams, cries, moans and falling bodies filled the small pub. He looked down stepping over dead bodies as he made his way to his target. The sound of a shotgun action opening and closing made Ichigo turn his head around. The bartender was loading his shotgun and aiming towards him.
Jumping out of the way a loud bang filled the shrill screams.
"Shit!" Ichigo tsked at his lack of knowledge. He should have known the bartender was a part of Aizen's goons. He should have gotten rid of him first. He quickly dodges another gun shot.
Two.
His eyes darted every place less likely to get any of the bystanders killed. Another shot rang near his head.
Three.
He counted how many were discharged. One more is left in the chamber out of the four.
Ichigo peaked his head out before dodging another shot aimed at him.
Four!
He jumped and threw himself over the tables unloading his gun into the bartender. Ichigo fell into the tables breaking them. He felt a shocking pain run up his back.
"I'm going to feel that in the morning." Two women stared at him as he limped up from the broken tables. He nodded at them. "Almost done." His eyes scanned the bleeding unmoving bodies until it landed on the person he was looking for.
The main target Zommari Rureaux tried to crawl away, but Ichigo trailed behind him leisurely. He reached into his pockets and found he had no more full magazines to reload with. Tucking away his guns, he unsheathed a knife from his back and grabbed at Zommari's left leg. He evenly sliced his Achilles Heel.
"AHH!"
Ichigo smirked viciously grabbing at the other leg to give it the same even slice. Zommari cried at the excruciating pain and loss of moving his feet. His eyes flickered up to a squatting Ichigo who brought the knife close to his face.
"Now where is your boss, Sosuke Aizen?"
Ichigo sat on a crate at the harbor as the two divers finished chaining the barrel. They each gave a thumbs up to the operator. The crane revved up and began pulling the heavy iced barrel from the freezing water. Seaweed and bloody water poured out from the barrel as it was lifted into the air. Slowly it was moved to the ground near the forensic team.
Byakuya watched as the men and women quickly worked to get the evidence outside of the eroding barrel. He turned and walked over to Ichigo.
"You know every time I see you, I'm collecting more bodies than actual criminals."
Ichigo's eyes glanced up at Byakuya as he stood next to him. He stood up shoving his hands in his coat pocket to keep his hands warm. "Yeah, sorry about that. I just got word and figured you want to know first since you knew him too." He nodded in agreement.
"How might I ask?"
"Aizen's own men who's an expert at getting rid of bodies. I was told he was with him until recently. He got off the passenger ship to get the job done."
"I see." They watched as a welder came and began igniting a fire to get rid of the eroding rust on top of the tin container.
"Rangiku… is she coming here or the M.E's office?"
"It's best for family to see them on the slab cleaned up than in the state we find them in." Byakuya spoke truthfully as he pulled on the scarf around his neck feeling the cold wind blow. His eyes were saddened at the memory of his late wife. The barrel was finally open and one of the team members looked over at the two. It was confirmed to be Gin Ichimaru's dead body. "The state you find them in can leave you with nightmares. It erases the life you had with them replacing it with the memory at their worst state."
Ichigo understood where he was coming from. "Thanks for this."
Byakuya nodded and walked off to the chief coroner.
~x~
Yhwach received another call about his grandson Ichigo running rampant.
"He shot all the men in the bar. The women there were not harmed. He paid them for their distress and silence before leaving again." Asguiaro Ebern said through the phone.
Yhwach growled at the thought of the many bodies his cleaners were being dispatched to remove the mess Ichigo has created. Haschwalth could only close his eyes and tilt his head, understanding his boss's position.
"Call the cleaners to get rid of any evidence he was there." He hung up before turning his chair to Haschwalth. "History is repeating itself once again. I gave him months to grieve his lost and this is how he repays me." His fist tightened in his lap. "Haschwalth I want you and Bazz-B to get Ichigo and bring him to me. Break his legs if you need to, I just want him alive."
"Understood sir." Haschwalth walked out of the office taking out his phone to call his childhood friend.
~x~
Orihime stared through the large pane glass of the manor Aizen had ready for his new operational use. The moon cascaded its light over the snow-covered forest that surrounded them. Her eyes drifted down to the large number of men standing guard of their desolate hideout. Some were pointing to where the others should take up their posts while a few smoked their cigarettes in a huddle trying to keep warm.
Since arriving she scanned her eyes over each man on who would let their guard down so she could secure a weapon of her choice. Even though Ulquiorra taught her how to use knives, he did not provide any for that reason alone. She looked for anything sharp to help her escape. She didn't know where she was, but if she could leave this place without Aizen knowing that would be enough.
A knock on the door pulled Orihime's attention from the men outside. She turned around. "Come in."
Aizen walked in smiling dressed in a cream-colored cashmere sweater that hugged his body. "I hope this is better than an always swaying ship. A lot warmer too." He closed the door and sat down on the couch provided in her room. The black leather pants creased by his thighs showing off his ankles in expensive loafers. "Have a seat, I need to go over a few things with you to get this task rolling."
She walked over to him and sat down on the other couch across from him. His eyes ogled her body donned in a loose fitted cream-colored cashmere sweater dress with matching Ugg boots. For some reason he wanted them to match. Feeling his eyes roam her body, she grabbed a pillow and placed it in front of her chest. He smirked at her sudden shyness. Earlier she was all over him making poor Ulquiorra jealous. She thought he wouldn't notice, but in all his years of working he knew when women flirted with him. The close bond the two shared after months of being around each other was also expected. He knew Ulquiorra would never act on his desires, so Orihime's game would not last long.
"As you can see, we are only a few miles away Kisuke Urahara's home. It was hard to get this place in such short notice, but with great luck we secured it with the broker. At least we got it before Ichigo killed him." He swung his leg over his other and sat back on the couch. "He's such a pain in my ass. Always getting in my way." His eyes lit up looking at her. "But with you here to do what I ask; he won't be in my way. You just have to follow my script and get the patent."
Orihime felt nervous about seeing Ichigo again. She had missed him so much, but she was also afraid of seeing him. The days were long and grueling with her in a constant state of contradictions and lies.
"Why do you want me to do this?"
"You happen to be the main character now, due to an unforeseen death."
"If you didn't make me kill Mr. Gin, you would still have your main character."
Aizen raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't talking about Gin. Your grandfather was my benefactor and main character for my show."
"… I don't…" Orihime stared at him wide eyed. "I don't have a grandfather."
"Yes, you do. You just don't know him. Sadly, you won't get to either… since he passed." Aizen leaned his arm on the arm rest and supported his jaw onto his fist. "Someone killed him and made it look like a suicide."
She gasped. "What? Why?"
Aizen smiled tenderly. "It all comes back full circle to your son's great grandfather."
"Mr. Yhwach." Aizen nodded. "But how? I don't understand."
"Hmm I'm not too sure myself since I was indisposed at the time. From what I've heard from my people, Yhwach, Kisuke Urahara, and your hubby Ichigo Kurosaki has been getting rid of all of those around you to isolate you from knowing the truth." Orihime's eyes widen even bigger than before. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Aizen continued. "I know shocking. Ichigo had a good heart and tried to leave you alone, but he was attached to you. Your good nature and sex appeal."
"I don't believe you."
"Oh?" Aizen raised an eyebrow. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his cellphone. "Yes, bring in the files please." He hung up and stared straight at Orihime.
Silently they sat waiting for whoever he had called to bring in his proof. A soft knock was heard before Loly and Menoly walked into the room. They both had boxes of paperwork. They placed it on the table between them.
"Thank you, ladies. You can see your way out." Menoly bowed before walking to the door. Loly stood still not moving from her spot. "What is it?"
"Sir, I don't think it's wise to depend on this idiot to retrieve your…" Aizen glared at her waiting for her to finish. Noticing his irritation, Loly quickly apologized. "I'm sorry sir." She bowed then glared at Orihime one last time before leaving with Menoly.
"She's right you know," she said once the door was closed.
Aizen gazed at Orihime. "Meaning?"
"How can you be sure he will give it to me? And are you sure he has it in his possession? You told me the last time you tried to get it; Mr. Urahara did not have it with him."
"Nonsense," Aizen waved his hand dismissing her questions. "Kisuke has it. A man like him making something so dangerous and not to have it close by is unheard of."
"Okay, but how do I get it?" Orihime tried to understand Aizen's plan. He only smiled wickedly.
"Let me worry about that. I just want you to get inside of his house and look for it. Get Ichigo to show it to you. I guarantee when you arrive there, he will show up in a matter of seconds." He leaned up from the couch before standing up. He crossed over the small space and stood in front of Orihime. He bent down and pushed her bangs out of her face before grabbing her chin. She gasped at the pain of his fingers digging into her skin. "Ulquiorra taught you control, correct?" She nodded. "Use what he taught you and control Ichigo. He will do anything for you because he loves you." Aizen's fingers pushed her face up more. His thumb slid over her bottom lip while his lone brown eye stared at her menacingly. "So, prove to me how well Ulquiorra has taught you and get me what I want."
~x~
Ichigo returned to the hideout. Chad was looking at his phone when he walked into the kitchen. Looking up from his device, Chad raised an eyebrow.
"Anything?"
"Nope." Ichigo emphasized. The lack of a distraction he was used to no longer existed. Opening the refrigerator and taking out a bottle of water, he chugged it as soon as he opened it. Wiping his mouth after finishing it, he looked at Chad who was still watching him. "It was a dead end, but I've pinned him into a corner. Aizen has nowhere else to go."
"I was told." Chad went back to looking at his phone.
"I'm going to the gym, call me if anything else comes up."
"Have you talked to your grandfather lately?" Chad quickly added.
Ichigo threw the bottle into the recycling trash. Irritation slowly made its way to the surface at the thought of Yhwach. "No, why?"
"He called looking for you."
Ichigo sighed. "I'll call him later."
"Okay, be safe."
He waved walking out.
Renji was standing in the gym when Ichigo arrived.
"I know babe, but he's her uncle. Byakuya is supposed to spoil her."
"But he never did that with me and I'm his little sister." Rukia pouted on the screen.
"Rukia you can't be serious."
"What? I am serious, Renji. Ichika is spoiled by both of you."
"I'm her dad so I'm supposed to spoil her too," Ichigo watched Renji smirk into the phone. He felt a tinge of jealousy at the couple chatting in front of him. "I'll spoil you too as soon as I get home."
"So, you can get me pregnant again?" Rukia curtly suggested.
"If you want… I will…" Renji looked up quickly wiping his flirtatious smile off his face. "Look babe, Ichigo just walked in… I'll call you back later to discuss this further."
"Okay, tell him I said hi and to bring Kazui over. Ichika misses him too."
"No problem." He placed his phone down after hanging up. "Glad to see you're back in one piece. Learned anything new?"
"No." Ichigo removed his hoodie and threw it to the side. He walked over to the treadmill after doing simple stretches. "He'll show up soon." He put in the incline and speed. "Rukia seems lonely. You should go home and stop babysitting me."
Renji was in the middle of stretching when he stopped abruptly. "I'm not babysitting you."
"I'd say otherwise. Since that little video fiasco, you've been keeping an eye out on me. You think I wouldn't notice?"
"Sorry for being a worried friend." Renji rolled his eyes. "I think you should go home for now. You've overturned every rock here and Aizen still hasn't wiggled out of his hole. I bet you Kazui misses his old man."
Ichigo stared straight ahead as he increased the speed. He inserted his headphones blasting rock music and began running at the rising speed. Renji shook his head going back to his own workout.
Ichigo laid in the bed provided at the hideout. It wasn't as comfortable as his own at home but being home only brought out lonely feelings. He scrolled through his phone looking at the pictures of his small family. The smiles and laughter they shared, destroyed in only a matter of 6 months. He couldn't help but believe it was his own fault. Their forever snatched away before it even existed.
An incoming call pulled him from his dark thoughts.
"Hey dad?" Ichigo answered, but he sat up seeing his son's four teeth smile on the screen. "Hey kiddo! What are you doing up so late?"
"Da-da!" Kazui giggled through the phone screen. Ichigo smiled. "Da-da!" Isshin poked his head in the corner of the screen waving at Ichigo.
"Your son was calling out for you. Kid wouldn't sleep without talking to you first." Isshin smirked as Kazui looked up at him. "Hey Kazui, tell your dad the new word you learned."
"You better not be teaching my son anything perverted old man!" Ichigo growled.
Isshin waved his hand dismissing the nonsense said to him. "Oh God no." He looked down at Kazui who was looking back and forth from the phone to Isshin. "Come on you can do it."
Kazui smiled looking at Isshin. "Bababababa!" he squealed.
Isshin picked him up and gave him raspberries on his tummy. Kazui giggled loudly at the gesture. "Guess he's shy. How have you been son?" He placed Kazui down so he could crawl away.
Ichigo's smile slid off his face. "I'm okay, I guess." Isshin raised an eyebrow at his son's fallen expression.
"No, you're not. What's wrong?" He turned away to look at Kazui before focusing back on the screen. "Come on talk to me. You haven't been home since she's been gone. Are you perhaps lonely?"
"… yeah. I miss her."
"Why hide that? It's natural to miss the woman you love." Sadness passed over Isshin's face before switching to concern. "Come home if you feel lonely. We can't replace the love she gave you, but we have plenty of love to give you as a family. Especially this little guy," Isshin moved his phone camera to Kazui. He was laying on his back in the middle of the bed with his feet up. He looked at Isshin then Ichigo.
"Mamamama." He clapped his hands repeating the words.
"There it is!" Isshin smiled. "I was showing him pictures of Orihime and saying who she was."
Ichigo smiled feeling the emotions well up in his chest. She was missing so many of his firsts because Aizen had taken her. How many more will she miss?
"Wow dad that's amazing. You have a knack for raising kids."
"Hey!" They both laughed. "I'll let you get some rest. I hope you'll stop by tomorrow and spend some time with us. Don't let your search pull you away from what's waiting for you back here."
"Sure."
"Later Ichigo."
"Yeah." He set his phone beside his head as he stared at the ceiling fan. He had no other places to look in Japan. Aizen had no more men besides the ones next to him. Waiting was not his biggest strength, but he would try.
Ichigo closed his eyes, forcing himself into a dreamless slumber. What only felt like seconds since shutting his eyes, his phone rang pulling him from the creeping sleep. He peeked through his eyes at the bright screen reading Kisuke's name.
"Why is he calling so late?" Swiping to accept the call, Ichigo answered. "Hello?"
~x~
Aizen sat in the car staring at the huge front gate he had blown off almost a year ago. It now stood sturdier than ever. Three men stood guard, armed to the nines.
"Looks like he learned from his mistakes," Aizen chuckled. His eyes looked over at Orihime who sat nervously next to him. "Now your time is up. Do all that we've taught you and get me my patent." Her eyes looked over at him.
"What if he doesn't give it to me?"
Grabbing her chin, he peered deep into her eyes. "You keep asking me the same question when you already know the answer. Seduce him. We taught you enough tactics." His other hand traced her thigh pulling on the garter holding one of the two daggers. "Or should I be the one to give you a refresher?"
She stirred her leg out of his touch. "He's married." His other fingers tightened around her chin punishing her for moving.
"His wife is out on business. What other excuse do you have?" Orihime shook her head getting out of his compressing touch. Aizen dropped his hand at the lack of her heat. He pulled out his phone and placed it in her lap. "He's depending on Mommy to do the right thing." Her eyes widen at the picture of Kazui sitting in the shopping cart next to Yuzu. She quickly faced him mouth agape.
"Why… he's just a baby."
"Meaning what exactly? I'll do anything I can to get what I want."
"Mr. Yhwach would not allow this. You, threatening his great grandson."
Aizen chuckled. "That senile old man has his hands full with his grandson running amuck. I have the upper hand here, so get what I want or face the consequences." He took the phone from her lap and tapped on the screen. He maximized the photo of Kazui's happy smile. "You wouldn't want to take away that smile, would you?" he mockingly asked. "Get going, times ticking." Orihime quickly scrambled out of the car getting away from his threat. He rolled down the window smiling softly. "You look lovely. Kisuke would appreciate it more than you think. And if it comes down to him resisting… use the product. That way you'll have the control Ulquiorra taught you." His eyes narrowed. "I'll know if you messed up. I have eyes everywhere."
~x~
"Kisuke there is a young lady at the front gate asking for you." Tessai spoke through the intercom connected to the lab.
"This late?" Kisuke stopped what he was doing and leaned up from his microscope. "Who is it and what does she want?"
"She said her name is Orihime Inoue."
"Who is that?"
"Apparently she is Ichigo Kurosaki's fiancé."
Kisuke took his googles off. "I'll be down there in a few. Have her wait for me in the study." He took off his lab coat and took out his phone.
"Hello," a dejected voice answered.
"Your missing fiancé is at my front door." Kisuke closed his lab door and locked it with his biometric prints.
"… I'll be there soon." He moved the phone from his ear seeing the Call Ended on his screen.
Kisuke walked into the study with his cane in hand. The woman sat in the couch with her hands on her lap and staring straight ahead. Tessai offered her a glass of water when Kisuke got closer.
She sat with a short faux black coat, a strapped black mini dress and patent stiletto laced heels. Her hair was swept to one side showing off her elegant bone structure and cleavage. Her shimmer lid eyes followed the man as he took a seat across from her. He placed his cane to the side.
"Hello there." Kisuke spoke first after getting settled. "I'm not sure why you're here but Ichigo is the one that you should be seeing first. He is deeply worried about you."
Orihime smiled softly. She reached for her shoulders slowly removing the coat. It slid off her shoulders onto the couch. Kisuke's eyes followed her every move, mesmerized at her glowing beauty. She placed her hands back on her lap, dismissing the seduction she set for him. Tightening her sweaty palms, she tried her best to focus on the task given to her. "I know but I was asked to see you first, Mr. Urahara."
"Interesting." He rubbed at his chin stubble smiling widely. "I can't deny myself of chatting with a pretty woman now, can I?" Tessai coughed grabbing Kisuke's attention. He cleared his throat and took out a fan a began to cool himself down. He missed Yoruichi. "May I ask what your visit is containing at this late hour?"
"I need the patent to your invention." Tessai and Kisuke both raised their eyebrows at her bold request. They looked at each other before facing her again.
Kisuke cleared his throat. "I'm sorry but why?"
"Sosuke Aizen wants it." Orihime said rehearsed.
Kisuke chuckled. "Yeah no." He slouched in his seat getting comfortable. "I'm sure he wants it for some political gain he cannot obtained unless it's at someone else's expense. I'm sorry sweetheart but the answer is no. I didn't give it to him when he had a gun to my head back then. So, for Aizen to send a pretty lady like you to seduce it out of me won't work either."
She nervously wiped her hands on her lap. She had another way, but the situation was impossible since they had no drinks. The special product sat in her coat untouched. She would use another tactic instead.
"You owe me." Orihime stared at him hauntingly. Each piece of paper Aizen shoved in her hands from M.E reports, who Mr. Yhwach is, who Kisuke Urahara is and how Aizen is involved with them specifically. Each man killed because of them including her grandfather Genryusai Yamamoto. He was a wise leader who stuck to his morals as a leader. He was a compassionate and stern man when it came to his followers. They respected his choices and decisions pushing for him to become the Prime Minister of their nation. Yet, they assassinated him for his ideals. Mr. Yhwach was jealous of him because her grandfather walked in the light while he walked in the dark.
It wasn't her place to exact revenge on anyone but Aizen for treating her so distasteful to the point of killing Mr. Gin. However, when he told her his full plan, she pretended to naïvely follow along. As sad as her grandfather's situation is, she didn't fully believe Aizen. It made no sense.
She loves Ichigo too much to believe he was using her. When he told her about his trauma growing up, when he cried about almost losing her and his current rampage to find her, why would she doubt him now? He wouldn't risk their family for something so criminal.
But Ichigo did kill people for a living.
She shook her head. She will ask him when she sees him again. His words are the only ones she'll trust. Looking at Kisuke he was staring at her confused.
How can I make this work?
For now, she must protect her son. She won't let all she had gone through go to waste. So, she will use the possible lies from Aizen to fuel her reasoning.
"You owe me." Orihime repeated.
Kisuke was truly confused now. "I'm sorry? I don't know you to owe you anything." He and Tessai felt the sudden shift in her personality.
She crossed her legs and wrapped her hands over her knee. "Mr. Yhwach is your partner, right? With his help you assassinated my grandfather, Genryusai Yamamoto."
"I'm not sur-" Orihime jumped up releasing the daggers from her thigh and threw one at Tessai. The dagger pinned his shoulder causing him to stumble back. She then took the other and plunged it into the cushion next to Kisuke's head. She looked deep into his eyes as she leaned in closer. Blood slowly dripped down his cheek from a cut she was able to give him when bringing down the dagger.
"The weapon you created was made to assassinate all the cabinet members including the Prime Minister. Am I wrong?" she whispered. "But you got rid of my grandfather since he knew too much and was about to report you."
Kisuke's eyes darted to Tessai who pulled out the dagger dropping it to the floor. He held his shoulder glancing from Orihime to Kisuke. His hand gradually reached for his gun behind his back, she quickly took the dagger out and grazed it by Kisuke's neck.
"Don't move or he dies." Tessai paused his movements. He was big enough to wrap his arms around her to get her off of Kisuke but with the knife so close to his carotid he hesitated.
Kisuke raised his hands slowly surrendering. "Let's talk about this Ms. Inoue."
"I don't have time to talk. Give me what I want." She was winging it at this point. She didn't want to kill anyone again, but if Aizen is really following her son she will do anything to protect him. "Where is it!"
"Orihime!"
It was like the world had stopped spinning on its axis. It was the familiar voice her ears have committed to memory. The harsh yet sweet voice of her lover. The man she craved to see since she was taken against her will. However, she refused to look up at the heavy breathing voice behind her. She denied herself the luxury of acknowledging her aching heart for the man she yearns for. Her eyes stayed glued to Kisuke's. His eyes darted from hers to the new presence. Tessai nodded and he moved towards Orihime.
She gripped the dagger pressing it further into Kisuke's neck. Blood spilled before she was ripped away from him. Arms wrapped themselves around her waist pulling her away. The grip on the dagger only tightened as she twirled it in her hand -the same way Ulquiorra had taught her- and sliced at the arm grabbing her. Her heart broke at the blood staining the white coat. The blood weeping through the shallow wound.
The arm tightened not letting go. She raged at her hesitation and kicked back into the man's thigh, fighting to loosen their grip. Only then did the person push her towards the table in the corner.
She huffed out a breath before looking over her shoulder. Her bangs hid her eyes while it scanned the man who had shattered her world. Ichigo was standing holding onto his bleeding arm wearing a white coat and matching scarf. Her eyes were greedy from the sight of him. She noticed the subtle changes of his face. His eyes had dark bags under them from lack of sleep, but he was still ruggedly handsome. Her eyes drifted down to his arm. She felt her heart ached at the damage she caused him. Aizen said he might come but she was hoping it was a lie.
Ichigo snapped his eyes up at her. "What are you doing?"
"What are you doing? Here?" she recounted back.
"Urahara told me you were here, so I came to get you."
"Leaving Kazui alone!" Orihime's mind started whirling.
Is this what Aizen predicted.
He said I would see him here.
Is Kazui in danger?
"What? No! He's with my dad." They both stood silently with a short distance between them. "Orihime why are you here?"
"… I need the patent." Her eyes shifted away from Ichigo to Kisuke who was dabbing at the blood on his neck. The guilt she had suppressed was leisurely returning, hurting her heart. Tessai was next to him shielding him, ignoring his own bloody shoulder.
"Did Aizen tell you to do this?" Her eyes landed back on Ichigo's.
Orihime swallowed the guilt and began rubbing her fingers needing the dagger to finish what she had started. Her eyes darted around the study looking for another weapon.
"Orihime!" She jumped at his voice. She looked back at Ichigo who moved a little closer to her.
"Stop." She put her hand up. She watched his hands ball into fists. Her thoughts wondered if it was because he was frustrated or in need to touch her again. She can't let him. Not yet. His presence was enough of a distraction. But she internally loved their dynamic change. She savored at the thought of denying him something he wanted. Glancing down to the table, she snatched the silver letter opener. She curled it in her hand getting into an offensive stance.
Ichigo's eyes narrowed at her. The months since she had been gone, Aizen had changed her. She was never the one for dominating violence, but she stood ready to draw more blood.
"Can you leave us alone Urahara?" he asked, keeping his eyes trained on Orihime. She tightened her grip on the letter opener.
"No, he can't leave, not without giving me what I want. He owes me!"
"Urahara, get out."
"No!" Orihime panicked. She charged at Kisuke, losing the small amount of training Ulquiorra taught her. With her slip up, Ichigo easily unarmed her by knocking both her elbow and hand holding the weapon. The letter opener skid across the floor to the other side of the room. His other hand pushed her away keeping her distance from Kisuke.
"I don't know what Aizen has told her but reel her in Ichigo." Kisuke's grey eyes narrowed at both the bright haired duo. "There's an extra room through those doors if you need more privacy."
Kisuke and Tessai walked out of the study closing the doors and leaving them alone.
Ichigo shoved his hands in his pocket to keep from shaking Orihime back to reality. Instead, he stared at her. She shifted in her heels under his hard gaze. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Protecting Kazui."
"Do you think Aizen is threatening him, and I wouldn't know about it?"
"I don't know. I wasn't here for the details. He showed me a picture of Kazui and Yuzu in the market."
"I know and as soon as his man sent the picture, I slit his throat."
Orihime cast her eyes down to the ground finding interest in her open toed heels.
"Why didn't you come home to me as soon as he let you go? Why come here?"
She glanced up at him as he stood still in the middle of the study staring at her. "Aizen brought me here. He didn't really mention it, but it was implied that he was watching me."
Ichigo's eyes travelled to the corner of the room at the letter opener. "Did he ask you to kill Urahara?"
She rubbed her arms trying to warm them up in the cool room. "Again, it was implied I try everything to get the patent. This was more convenient than seducing him with my body."
The air between them grew a degree lower. "What?"
"I was repeatedly taught to seduce him to get what I want." She dropped her arms to her sides.
Ichigo felt his blood boil at the mention of her being touched. The video of her pleasure filled moans echoed in his ears along with the image of the bared ass man possibly claiming her.
"Do you love him?" He watched her close her mouth and swallow her words.
"… what?" Orihime stared wide eyed at his random question. "Who?"
Ichigo took his hands out his pockets, and stride across the room towards her. She took several steps back as he approached her. She was confused by his manner and expressions. The darkness he had towards all his enemies was pointed directly towards her.
She bumped into a table and stumbled before catching her balance. Her eyes never leaving his face the closer he got. She finally backed up into the large pane window of the study.
"Ulquiorra. Do you love him?" He finally closed the distance between them. His exceptional height hovered over her curvy frame. His eyes steadily looked at her burning for her next words. She gawked at him. She opened her mouth then closed it.
Orihime was baffled by his absurd question. "Why would you ask me something like that? Of course not."
"Then why…" Ichigo's hand left his side and gently trailed up her form. Her breath hitched in her throat at the heat of his hand. The very hand she missed. His hand kept traveling up her waist, towards her breast which were rising and falling from her growing pants to her collar bone and finally her neck. "Why did he touch you?" His hand wrapped around her neck and squeezed.
Orihime's eyes widen at the pressure from his fingers. She was about to reach for his hand and pry it off her neck, but the feel of his hand was exhilarating. Lust filled her pupils with his raging eyes and his hand exacting his anger towards her. Her lips curved into a soft yet dangerous smile.
"Are you jealous?" She felt his hand twitch at her question. That was not the answer he was expecting.
How much did they change her?
Her hands instead rose to his coat and unbuttoned each button. Opening it up, her hands travelled back up touching his chest covered in a light sweater. Her fingers squeezed his pecs and then slid down his body to his pants buckle.
"What are you doing?" Ichigo clenched his teeth. His thoughts were conflicting with each other.
"Answer my question. Are you jealous?" She unbuckled his belt and slid down the zipper. Her hand snaked inside finding what she wanted. Her eyes not leaving his, she squeezed his hardening member. The warmness twitching with excitement. He broke eye contact as he closed his eyes. Her strokes were slow and hard.
Ichigo opened his heavy lid eyes. She was still staring at him. "Why…" he groaned. His fingers around her neck squeezed and released at each of her strokes.
"Why indeed?" Orihime released him and took her hands out of his pants. She reached for his other hand and snatched it away from her neck. She then slapped him.
Ichigo stumbled back in shock. "What the hell Princess?"
The air shifted again. Tears welled up in her eyes. It had been months since she cried. The sound of the pet name he would call her leaving his lips, she hasn't heard it in so long. She covered her mouth to hide her sobs. She had missed him dearly, yet he cornered her to ask a stupid question.
Ichigo watched her tears fall. His own tears burned threatening to fall. He steadied himself and approached her again.
"You don't get to cry." The words were harsh but valid. Keigo said to wait for her side of the story, but she has yet to answer his question. "Do you love him?"
Orihime removed her hand from her mouth. "Why do you keep asking me that?" she sobbed. "I don't love anyone else but you!"
"You left me alone. Again!"
"You have no right to be angry at me. I was kidnapped."
They stood still staring at each other.
"I know and that's what infuriates me. It's like life keeps trying to take you away from me. Then that video of you and Ulquiorra doing God knows what..." He ran a hand through his hair. "…why can't I ask you if you're in love with him. You didn't see what I had seen. The noises of you two… sharing something we've only had…"
Orihime silently listened to him vent. The horror of her contradictions and lies was seen by Ichigo. She expected him to hate her for being with Ulquiorra. But he was worried she loved him instead. He was indeed jealous, and it was all her fault.
"It was a gut punch seeing the two of you be so intimate." He closed his eyes trying to slow his racing heart.
"I didn't have sex with him."
Ichigo drew his eyes back to hers. "But you kissed him." Orihime nodded, not trusting her words. "What else?"
She shook her head. "Don't ask me something you're not prepared to know the answer to."
Ichigo swallowed the dry lump in his throat. "Tell me."
Orihime bit her lip. Ichigo's eyes trailed down to it. "He did finger and mouth stuff to me," she nervously whispered.
"Anything else?"
"No. Nothing else."
"Did you like it?"
"No! I just pretended to. But I did..."
"What?"
"I did have a..."
Ichigo eyes blurred. He pushed her against the window and kissed her deeply. They both moaned at their first kiss in months. It wasn't passionate like she had imagined if she saw him again. It was instead sad and possessive. Tears fell on her cheeks. Opening her eyes, Orihime sees his tears falling. Watching him cry caused her heart to constrict with pain. This is the second time she has made Ichigo cry.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer to her.
"I'm sorry," she whispered against his lips. "Erase him from me. Take away all of his touches and replace them back with yours," she begged. Pulling himself away from her, Ichigo looked at her mesmerized.
Taking her hand, he dragged her to the room connected to the study.
The huge room was designed in a rich color with modern materials. Orihime stood in front of the Olympic queen-sized bed decorated with plain white sheets and brown duvet folded neatly at the foot.
He stood by the door as it closed with his hands in his pockets. His coat was thrown on a nearby chair in the corner. His eyes were on her watching her quietly unzip her dress. Before she could take it off, he pushed off the door.
"Wait…" he grabbed her hand, "… let me." His hands trailed up from her hands, up her arms, and then her shoulders, until his fingers found the straps. He slid the straps down, letting the fabric free fall down her body to her heels. The cool air hits her skin and her nipples since she is not wearing a bra. He groans as he palms her breasts, pinching the pebbled flesh and his lips land on the crane of her neck. He gave her gentle kisses all around her neck while he softly groped her globes.
Orihime moaned at his hands touching her. She whined when his hands left her breasts, skating over her belly and around her waist to grip the band.
Ichigo hands skated across her waist to grip the band of her v-string and pulls them down. He drops to his knees following his descent down kissing her thighs. He taps her leg, and she steps out of them. Orihime loved the unchanging feeling between them. Notwithstanding the uncouth touches from Ulquiorra, he still wants her. The words he had spoken to her a few minutes ago on how he shouldn't have let her go and blames himself for her capture, Ichigo remained the same. He knows she will always belong to him.
"Turn around and bend over." His lips were inches from her heat. Orihime felt the heat of her skin rise at his dark voice. It was always like this with him. He would give an order and she would submit. Ichigo has her trust, and he shows her why he will be the only man capable of giving her this. The sense of freedom. From making decisions and from thinking of anything besides the way her body feels under his expert touch.
He didn't wait for her to comply before his hands landed on her back guiding her down on the bed. Her cheek laid down on the cool sheets.
"Spread your legs for me." A shiver courses through her body as the wetness between her legs pools. The moisture is placed on full display when she spreads her legs. Ichigo takes a sharp breath. Orihime smiles. The same sound she had heard consistently throughout her time with him, the sound only meant for her. "Damn you're so wet."
Before a word could escape her lips, his hands spread her open and he buries his face in her pussy. A long torturous glide of his tongue and a deep breath from him causes her to scream because of how good it feels. Fresh tears blur her vision as his fingers enter her heat, soaking her thighs. His mouth sucked and lapped at her wetness.
Ichigo raises his head, watching his fingers disappear deeper into her core. With his other hand, he uses his index and middle finger to play with her clit. The long and thickness of his fingers simultaneously stimulating her tightening walls for an impending intense orgasm.
Sinking his teeth into the back of her thigh before kissing it away. "Don't cum."
Orihime whimpered at the order, but her body responded to him as the feeling of the orgasm faded. "I want you inside of me."
"Let me enjoy you some more." His kisses rained all over her thighs. His fingers pressed down massaging her spot. Ichigo keeps a steady and perfect pace. The nerves sparked throughout her body as a warning.
"Ichigo!" He removes his fingers from inside her pussy. With his wet index finger, he circled her other hole. He pressed down, inching his way inside slowly. "Oh God!"
Orihime cried out as Ichigo smirked. He pumped his fingers in and out with slow shallow thrusts. She moved to meet each stroke. She knew her moans were too loud in such a place that was not the privacy of their own home. But the thrill made her walls clench with excitement.
"I can't wait… please," she begged. Ichigo rose to his feet dropping his pants with his other hand. He pulled his dick out and dragged his precum tip over her slick folds. She rocked her hips back, trying to push his hardness even an inch inside. He pulled his finger out of her ass to capture her rocking hip.
"Relax." He played with her entrance, teasing her with the same presses of his crown entering. Her body does not stop moving to join them together despite his hand on her hip. However, he continues to tease her rubbing himself on her folds and clit.
"Please!" Orihime begged, missing the feeling of her walls wrapped around him. The head of his member had stopped moving and at her entrance. She fisted the sheets as he reared back and thrust inside shaking the headboard. "Yes!" she screamed as her hands tightened, almost ripping the sheets with her nails. The sensation of his fullness stretching her out was the most satisfying feeling. It had been too long.
Ichigo's grip on her hip is bruising as he gives her slow and deep strokes. Every inch of him dragged over the sensitive parts of her igniting a fire deep inside. He was pulling the pleasure from deep inside her, the pleasure only meant for him.
"You're mine… you'll always be mine Orihime." His words were low but truthful. The time they had spent apart had not erased his claim on her body, especially how it responded to each command and touch. The emotion swirling around his words made her chest hurt. When she was taken from him, she was numb. Her actions were not emotional but cynical. The feeling of him moving slowly inside of her stirred her heart, bringing forth anger. She was expecting him to give her angry and feral strokes that would send them to the finish line. She had become someone she wasn't to have this feeling again.
She closed her eyes. "Shut up and fuck me!"
The words that left her mouth tangled with anger at herself, unraveled Ichigo's anger. He growled as both hands gripped her waist and yanked her back, so she was on her elbows. With the new position, it gave Orihime leverage to rock against him. Bouncing against him roughly made him breathe out in frustration. She needed him to be rough erasing his tenderness that was destroying her. She wanted to be punished because it was all her fault. She let Ulquiorra and Aizen touch her for control.
Her mind slowly drifted to the black-haired man and his lasting touch which impacted her personality. His hot touches were so different from Ichigo's whose touch ignited a fire down to her soul. She squeezed her eyes blocking the memory of him.
Orihime worked herself into a frenzy, moaning and cursing as she fucked herself against his dick. He does nothing but watches her impale herself on his length. After her outburst he had stopped moving altogether. He was still holding her waist but letting her control the rhythm. Too lost in the pleasure rolling through her it was not long until her orgasm sparked down her spine. The electric pulses heated her core losing her rhythm. Her thighs tense and her walls clenched around him as she arched her back signaling her approaching finish.
"I'm about to com-" He suddenly pulled out of her. The pressure around her waist and her emptiness of her pussy clenching against nothing. Turning around, Ichigo was standing behind her. Her anger had turned dangerous, and it was aimed at him. "What the hell?"
He was undressing himself, stepping out of his dropped pants along with his shoes and kicking them away. He yanked his shirt over his head exposing hard muscles of his chest and torso. He stood fully naked in front of her. Orihime's eyes were forever in awe at his physique. By his agile maneuvers and sculpted form, he has been working out more than before. His body was firmer in toned muscles drawing her eyes all over it, down to his hands. They were littered with minor healed cuts around his knuckles, telling their own story since her absence.
"Don't ever talk to me like that."
"What?" She looked up into his eyes confused. The sight of him almost made her forget what had happened before. "Then why would you do that?"
"You needed to be reminded of the way things are between us. I'm training your body to remember who it belongs to."
"So, you'll tease me again after you promised you wouldn't."
He didn't move as she fully turned around sitting up on the bed. His eyes glued to her naked body. The past months had changed her body drastically. From the thickness around her waist and thighs now sculpted with mini dimples. The stretch marks on her stomach from her pregnancy had faded and her breasts once heavy, were now fuller than they've ever been.
Noticing his eyes roaming her body, she did not feel shy in front of him like before. She knew her body was amazing, and he knew it. That was why he looks at her as the only meal he will ever eat. His hand drifted down to his hardened member and stroked it slowly. Her eyes lingered down and followed his movements. His dick -wet from being inside her- was long and thick as she remembers. The veins beautiful surrounding his shaft and the flared pink tip of his. She licked her lips unconsciously.
"Yes, that is a promise I will break to have you as mine." She looked up at his eyes. "I will make you forget about the man who has laid his hands on you." The pain lingered between them.
He still wants this.
He still wants me.
She unlaced her heels and kicked them off the bed. She then moved to her hands and knees crawling to him. He stroked himself tracking her with each inch closer she got to him. The determined glint in his eyes and truth playing across his features as his other hand snakes around the back of her head. Gathering her hair in a ponytail all her anxiety was pushed out of her body and inviting the desire back in.
Ichigo smiles darkly in the perfect way, causing her body to sting. "Open."
Orihime's lips parted, as his hold on her hair guides her head towards his erection. The sharp and tangy mixture of them explodes on her tongue as she tastes him in her mouth. She moaned at the taste. With his assistance, she was able to capture most of his length on the first try.
"Keep going," Ichigo muttered, pulling her back up and pushing her back down. He scans her face for any discomfort. Orihime relaxes her throat as she takes every inch of him this time around. His deep inhalation of breath and throwing his head back was enough praise for her to give a hearty suck. Her fingers reached down between her legs and found her swollen clit. The sensitive feeling was enough to have her come with just one touch, but she didn't want to get off on her touch alone.
Removing her hand from her pulsing spot, she placed her hand on the back of his thigh pulling him closer. Her tongue swirled over his crown tasting the salty precum oozing out. He was close due to the frenzied movements of his hips and the grip of her hair. He dragged her lips away from his shaft stalling his burning orgasm.
"Lay down." Ichigo released her auburn hair. She swung her legs around and leaned back on her elbows before lying flat. He was on top of her as soon as her head hit the sheets. Both of his arms were planted on the sides of her head and her legs were spread to accommodate the width of his hips. He leaned in close, brushing his lips over her own.
"My ego was bruised seeing another man touch what's mine." His dick nudged her wet entrance as his eyes dilated. She rocked into him causing them both to suck in a sharp breath.
"I know." She gasped, feeling him slide inside of her burying himself deep.
His lips are by her ear when he bites her lobe whispering, "You're mine." He repeats the same mantra while moving with a powerful and even rhythm. Her arms wrapped around him, fingertips digging into his skin desperate to have him close.
Orihime brought her hands to his face, cradling his strong jaw and guiding him to her mouth. His lips hover over hers as he keeps a steady tempo. His eyes burn into hers causing her legs to quiver with his all-consuming aura. He watches her closely.
"And you are mine," she lifts up and crushes her lips with his. She sighed at the taste of herself on his lips. Moaning at the feeling of him taking over the kiss, grasping her mouth with his tongue and making the strokes match the tempo he has set with his hips.
Orihime cried out when the ripples of pleasure racked through her body. He didn't stop kissing her and fucking her. Sliding his lips over hers, swallowing her pleasure filled cries and slammed into her repeatedly until his own deep groans reverberated through the room.
"I might have a dark side too."
Ichigo played with her fingers as they laid silently in the morning dew with her back pressed to his chest.
"How so?" he whispered. He knew but he had to hear her own words.
"I killed someone." Orihime closed her eyes feeling Ichigo shift to stare at her.
"Who?"
"Mr. Gin." He took a deep breath and stopped his hand movements.
"Oh God Orihime, I'm so sorry."
She shook her head. "He was expecting it." Orihime opened her eyes looking down at their intertwined legs in the sheets. "I have to tell Ms. Rangiku his last message when I get the chance."
Ichigo nodded, "Okay. Whatever you need."
"I'm sorry she won't be able to see him again."
"We found him yesterday. She had seen him at the medical examiner's office. As sad as it was seeing him like that, it was the closure she needed. Knowing he wasn't suffering gave her peace."
"Oh, that's good to know." Ichigo felt her body shake. He buried his nose in her peach scented hair and held her close while she silently cried.
~x~
Grimmjow's tied bloody body was thrown out the unmarked van. The group of men standing outside smoking threw their buds down shocked at the injured man. Two of them ran to Grimmjow's disfigured form while the others drew their guns and shot at the retreating van. One of the men pulled out the red stained note that was tucked in his mouth.
A simple trade…
Sorry he's not in one piece.
I.K
To Be Continued…
Author's Notes:
Happy Reunion!
Songs
worst behavior – Ariana Grande
Dark Side – Bishop Briggs
Dynasty - MIIA
ego talkin – Saint Harison
More & More – Joe
Makin' Good Love – Avant
The Love Scene – Joe
Say It – Ne-Yo
Midnight Snack – Muni Long, Jacob Latimore
