Chapter 8 : "It's nice to see you again, Ichigo"

The orange haired man was in such a hurry that he couldn't hear any words of Orihime. He was extremely pissed. He couldn't believe that he let himself and her so unprotected in front of such a big danger. After he took the new envelope in which, it was probably the map of the location and the new key, the suitcase he exited the apartment dragging Orihime all around.

After he ensured himself that they were safe he looked at her. Her wrist was redder than her eyes, thanks to his rough behavior. The criminal couldn't make himself to utter any kind of apologize, just to let her hand go. The girl glanced surprised at her, while he was trying to read something what seemed to be their indication for their new location.

'Left. Right. Lift. Right. 200 m in front. Rigth. Right.' And so go on. Ichigo tried to remain calm, even if his body was thirsty for Urahara's blood.

"Ichigo, are you sure that this is the place?" Orihime asks peeking at the letter when they arrived in front of a big mansion and he didn't say a thing. Her much desired answer didn't come from him, but from a petite brunette woman.

"Ichigo?" The shock on her face could be compared with the man's. The criminal kept his silence till the brunette hit him with her slipper.

"Damn, midget. You'd never change." He murmurs annoyed by her manners. The woman hit him again without any warning.

"You were playing dead for such a long time and now this is all you can to say to me?" The strange woman wipe a small tear what tried to form in the corner of her right eye.

"How about Renji? Is he fine?" The criminal answers salty, like he didn't care at all of her newcomer emotions. Orihime felt herself more like a viewer of a drama movie.

"Don't change the subject! You should have called at least. I hated when than fishy man called me to say that you're alive, before you. It's a pain, you know!"

"You shouldn't worry about me, especially when THAT thing's growing inside." Ichigo said looking disappointed at the brunette almost flat stomach.

"How did you know?" The petite woman asks ashamed touching her belly.

Ichigo grinned. "I know you too well to not see that. You're moving fast. How long are you two together? 6, maybe 7 mouths? I hope you too get along well, after all you were the one who cheated on…" The brunette slapped him. Orihime covered her mouth to mask her shock. She felt out of place to hear this discussion.

"That's has nothing to do with you. That's buried in the past! I thought you changed yourself after what Urahara told me that you're coming along with a girl." He hid his grin covering his left cheek red's area.

"Tsh… Just stop it, Rukia. I'm not here to speak about our past." Rukia blushed and nodded.

"I prepared for you your usual room. You can stay here as long as you please. My brother is inside now. I'd appreciate if you're not going to fight." The brunette said showing their way inside.

"As long I'm not a red tattooed baboon, I guess I will be fine." The criminal said casual. Rukia opened her mouth to protect her beloved Renji, but… She closed it. It's true that they resemble much sometime. Orihime on the other hand was feeling more relaxed seeing that the atmosphere between the two it calmed down.

But that didn't stop her for asking herself about their relationship. From what she had heard they were together, but Rukia cheated on him. As she saw Ichigo didn't was completely over her, so is it a good decision to spend the night of her place? What was Urahara's plan to put Ichigo in such an uncomfortable position?

"It seems the rumors have come true. I wouldn't expect you to be alive after such a smashing defeat, Kurosaki Ichigo" Rukia's brother said while he was drinking his tea.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Byakuya, but I'm not going to die till I will settle down my business. " The black haired man smiled content of his answer.

"I'd hope to not make your stay any longer than it's needed." The orange haired man waved his hand, after what he entered in his usual room. Orihime ran after his steps and she entered before he could close the door.

"Are… you okay?" The amber haired girl asks as soon as she starts to recover her breathing pace.

"Of course, I'm not okay." Ichigo shouts hitting the wall. "Damn, Urahara! How long are you going to play this sick game?" He asks no one in particular. She tried to touch his back, but he rejected her touch. "Tsh… Don't do that! It's no safe for you to be near me now. I'm going to take a shower!" The criminal finally mutters walking to the bathroom. The girl sighted, thinking that it would probably the best to let him be alone for a while.

She exited the room, after what she descended the stairs. Byakuya wasn't there anymore, but she could see an opened door to a beautiful garden. The sweet scent of the flowers enchanted her, her legs guiding her to the charming place. It was still night time, but the fire flies was lighting the landscape, making it to look more like a dream.

"It's so beautiful." She says in awe.

"Thank you. Gardening was one of the hobbies of my deceased wife. This garden was her dream. Unfortunately, it was finished long after her death. I'd wish her to have the chance to see it." Byakuya said looking melancholic at a small violet flower. Orihime walked next to him.

"I'm sure that even if we don't see her, she's admiring this garden. My brother used to tell me that the spirits of our beloved us are everywhere around us, and that they share each thought and emotion we feel so I think you have nothing to worry about. I'm sure that your thoughts are reaching her." The amber haired girl says giving him one of her special smiles. Byakuya did something out of his usual behavior, he broke a flower and put it in the beauty's hair.

"Your brother should be a wise man." Orihime nods ashamed.

"Indeed, it was. It's such a shame that he's no longer with us. "The two of them remained silent caught in their pasts. Ichigo was the one who broke the silence.

"What the hell… You should have waited for me. It's such a pain to search for you in such a big place." The criminal said trying to take her by her hand when Byakuya stopped him. "What?" Ichigo asked nervous.

"You should better watch your comportment. She doesn't need to follow you or to accept all your horrible words." The girl didn't know what to say when she saw the intense change of gazes between the men.

"Our relationship should not be one of your concerns. I'm not in the mood to listen to the advices from a man who's still mourning after his wife." The criminal was too nervous to care about his words. After he'd finished his statement, Byakuya sank him.

"I'd want to remind you that at this moment you're in my house and I don't tolerate this kind of speaking. You're free to act as you please, but don't forget the fact that I'm not going to overlook such gestures. Thank you for our lovely conversation. I wish you a good night." The dark-haired man uttered a praise to the girl, after he made clear his position. Ichigo was looking even angrier, but for some reason he didn't say anything back.

"Did something happen?" Orihime asks cleaning a small amount of blood from his lips.

"Tsh… Let's just go to our room." He concluded walking in front of her. The girl followed him, till they entered in their room. "Tomorrow I'm not going to be around. I will return later in the night. If I'm unlucky this is the last time when you'll see me. The point is that I want you to remain here anything will happen. I'd already talked with Rukia about this. You can spend tomorrow day with her. You should better avoid Byakuya. That's all. Good night." He tried to end their conversation moving into the bed. He did not want her to see him act so stupid, but… he could not just stay aside and let Byakuya to have her when this is maybe the last time when he has the chance to see her.

"NO!" Her answer made his closed eyes to open in her direction. Her eyes were wet. "I'm not going to let you go all alone. I'll go with you." She knew that she sounded probably like spoiled rotten brat, but… She didn't want him to carry all his burdens all by himself.

"Tsh… There's no room for negotiation. I'm going to meet with some dangerous guys tomorrow so you can't come, whatever you say, to me. Don't forget that you're a person what didn't need to be involved in this situation, so as few people you get to know now, it will be as easier to come back at your usual life." He closed his eyes again. He couldn't look at her teary face anymore.

"But why if I don't want to come back at my usual life?"

"You got to be kidding."Ichigo stood up out of blue, hearing her remark. She shook her head.

"I… want to spend as much time as I can with you. I know it's a selfish request,but… will you allow me to know more things about you ?" He covers his face with both of his palms to hide his facial expression. He didn't want something like this to happen, he didn't want to tell her anything about himself, but… it would be the best way to distract her till she will fall asleep and he will take his leave.

"What do you want to know?" Orihime couldn't hide the excitement on her face when she heard his words. She walked closer to him than she starts to ask questions.

"What's your favorite color?" A smile escaped from his lips hearing her silly question.

"Orange."

"Do you have other relatives?"

"I have an uncle and a cousin from what I know."

"On which day is your birthday?"

"On 15 July."

"Hm… It's pretty close. What would you like for it? Do you have any hobbies? For my last birthday little blue man made a delicious carrot cheese ice cream with donuts and honey and wasabi cake. If you want I could ask him for the recipe. It's a must try, at least once in your life."

"I think it would be the last time when I would eat something if I'm going to try it."

"Huh… Your lost. You'd never know what good combination is."

The two of them started to joke all around about Orihime's questions and ideas. After 3 hours they were lying in bed next to each other, while Ichigo was holding her hand.

"Do you still have feelings for Rukia?" She'd finally asked sensing him more relaxed. She could feel his body tensed.

"I don't know." He knew his answer will hurt her, but he continued. "I was surprised to see her again and to see that stupid expression on her face. I don't see why was she so happy to know that I'm alive when she got Renji." Orihime gripped more his palm.

"Were you happy that she cared about you?" He could feel her strong desire for a negative answer.

"Yes. It's not like I'm glad to admit, but somewhere inside me I was happy to know that." She came closer to him, resting her head on his chest.

"Thank you for being honest with me. I'm glad that I started to know you better." He moved one of his palms on her back, massaging it.

"You shouldn't. You shouldn't want to get closer to me. You shouldn't have asked me about Rukia. Why would you want to feel so much pain for me?" He asked breathing her scent.

"Because I'm starting to feel more and more sure about the fact that I like you. Listening to the person you like pleasures and past it's a way to know it better. Maybe it dies sounds silly, but I was really glad when you came searching for me. It made me feel for a second that you care about me, but that was probably only in my mind. Because… you're always… in my thoughts…." She says right before she falls asleep. Ichigo buried his face in her hair. She could be a champion at killing his mod., but still. His heart skiped a beat hearing again her feelings. Maybe he should not come back even after he will receive the news. After he was 100% sure that she's sleeping he exited the room.

Maybe if he wouldn't want his revenge so much he would like to start a relationship with her. But right now it was not the time for such illusions, because he can never be sure when he's going to be killed.

A.N. Hello, guys. I'm very sorry that I wasn't publishing any updates for a while, but I was busy with some exams. I know that this chapter is not so much about Ichihime action, but the next one it would be a lot juicy. I have some idea running in my head right now, but unfortunately I need to sleep. I will post the update today (5th july) or tomorrow.

Arigato for taking your time to read this notice. I hope you like how the story is developing till now. If you want to share with me your thoughts or expectation about this chapter or about the next one I will gladly read them.

I want to thank you for your continuous support. I love you all. #Justme210