I'm back quicker than before and this time with a longer chapter!

And know many are looking forward to their date but not yet that's the next chapter.

I thank you all for the reviews too.

Please HAPPY READING!

Edit: 28/07/2023

Her Past

Ichigo stood in the shower with the water cascading down his head. He watched as the remaining soap suds from his body went down the drain. Staring at the soap going down he thought about his life and what it will be like since finding out about Senna and his supposedly baby. He didn't know what to do about her. He wasn't sure if what she told him was true about the whole pregnancy. He tried desperately to reflect on the night that he allegedly forcibly had his way with her. It just didn't seem like himself to do something out of character even when drunk.

Besides the issue with Senna, he did not know what he can do about Orihime and his company. Their companies are supposed to unite soon but how can he focus on that and Senna? Frankly, he wanted things to be successful with the company merger and the relationship with Orihime.

Whoa, a relationship with Orihime?

Yeah, that's unlikely to happen.

That woman is all fifty shades of fucked up.

She had too much shit to deal with now with her unexpected sex schemes and running down Tokyo like a mad woman.

Yeah, I'll pass.

But then again, Orihime was a beautiful well put together woman. Maybe she had her reasons for the things she has done these past couple of days.

Ichigo turned off the faucet of his shower head. He pulled the shower door open and stepped out. He stared at himself in the mirror. He always appreciated his good looks and his unique hair color that he had come to love. But the scowl on his face had become permanent because he took over his grandfather's company. To the constant hiring and firing of employees, keeping the finances together, and now this unexpected merger that his grandfather desperately wanted. Why did his grandfather tell him to get close to Orihime? Did he not know how much of a… well she was difficult to get close to. But he took his chances anyway.

Ichigo wrapped a towel around his waist and opened the door that led right into his bedroom. He made his way toward his closet and pulled out a polo shirt and skinny jeans. His grandfather wanted something ridiculous to occur. He will never forget that irritating conversation.

Ichigo sat in his new office while his grandfather and father stood watching him.

"Ichigo you will take over this business and keep it running smoothly. Not only will you run it smoothly, but you will also uplift it to higher heights."

Ichigo whirled around in the chair not paying attention to his grandfather.

"Ichigo!" Isshin yelled out. Ichigo stopped whirling and stared at them.

"What old man?"

"Your grandfather is talking to you." Isshin narrowed his eyes at his son. "Uh father, please continue."

Yamamoto opened one of his eyes and stared at Ichigo who stared back at him. Slamming his cane down on the floor, both Isshin and Ichigo stood up to attention. Isshin realized what he was doing before clearing his throat and relaxing once again. Yamamoto continued.

"This company is my pride and joy, and I would like you to keep it that way for the next generation, which will either be your children or your grandchildren. Until then keep it well maintained. I would like you to make it grow outside of Japan-"

"Hold on gramps. How am I supposed to do that? It's bad enough that I have to keep it maintained in Tokyo but outside of it too."

Yamamoto opened both of his eyes and watched Ichigo as he continued trying to understand what his grandfather was saying.

"It's exactly like I said. You must expand it to keep this company afloat."

"Tsk, easier said than done," Ichigo said under his breath.

Yamamoto narrowed his eyes hearing exactly what his idiot grandson said.

"Considering that you are Isshin's son I will assume you have most of his characteristics and a mixture of Masaki's genes as well. Considering that, you will merge with a rising company called Sweet Treaties Industry."

"Okay hold on, wait a damn minute. You want me to keep the company maintained, you also want me to make the company grow, and now you want me to merge with a candy company? Gramps, I thought this was a clothing company, what will candy do to benefit us?"

Isshin started laughing.

"Ichigo…" His grandfather started to say. Isshin continued to laugh. "Shut your mouth Isshin!"

"Sorry…" he chuckled.

"Ichigo, Sweet Treaties Industry is a cosmetic company that is growing considerably well in areas of the country. Joining hands with that company will benefit our company more than you think. You will send that company the proposal and from it will be their move. Furthermore, you must get along with the CEO of that company. Isshin!"

"Yes!" Isshin stood at attention waiting for his orders.

"Does your son have a girlfriend?" Isshin raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry Father but I really don't know." Isshin turned his attention to his son. "Well, do you?"

Ichigo began scratching the back of his head.

"Honestly I don't have anyone claiming to be my girlfriend, but I do have some people-"

"Dump them immediately." Yamamoto interrupted.

"Wha-"

"You will focus all your attention on this merger and the CEO of Sweet Treaties Industry."

"Hold on. I'm supposed to stop dating to focus all my attention on some dude. Oh hell no. I'll pass."

"You idiot! You will focus your attention on Ms. Orihime Inoue who is the CEO of that company. You will date her and make your relationship exclusive for the tabloids to see. Additionally, you will tie the knot and make that woman your wife, that way this company and her own will continue to grow along with one another."

"What the hell!" Ichigo's face was crimson from the deep blush on his face. "You want me to date a woman I don't even know? Old man, I think Gramps is going senile on us. Look gramps, I don't know what generation you're stuck in but arranged marriages don't exist anymore." Ichigo started laughing. "At least not to me they don't"

"ENOUGH!" Yamamoto slammed his cane once again on the ground. Ichigo stopped laughing immediately. "You will do as I say. This is not a choice but an order. You owe me this much, boy." Ichigo narrowed his eyes in anger before putting his head down. Isshin turned his head away from the scene in front of him. "If your mother was still here, we would not be having this conversation. However, because of unexpected events here we are. Now you owe me. I will send the papers tomorrow morning. You will read them over and sign them. After that, you will send them to the Sweet Treaties Industry. This is your first act as CEO of Ancient Colored Collection. Do not disappoint me, son." Yamamoto turned away from Ichigo and made his way toward the door. "I am counting on you." With that said Yamamoto left.

Ichigo still had his head down. Isshin watched the door close before walking up to his son.

"Ichigo…"

"I didn't ask for this," he whispered. Isshin smiled.

"No one did, but it's what your mother wanted." Ichigo's body stiffened. "You never know, Ms. Inoue might be beautiful."

"Yeah, maybe."

He was going to relax and try his best to accomplish whatever he could with Orihime. It's what his mother would have wanted.

Driving in his silver two-door Infiniti to Orihime's home, both stayed silent. Soft music played through the radio setting the silent atmosphere to begin with. The wind blew through the window making her hair whip around. Ichigo had his sunglasses on, but he could see in the corner of his eye that Orihime was fighting with the wind. He smirked before pulling up the windows. He turned on the a/c so that they could stay cool.

"Thank you,' Orihime whispered while fixing her hair.

"Did you decide where you wanted to go for our little date?" She stopped fixing her hair to look at Ichigo.

"Unfortunately, I haven't thought of anything that I haven't done by myself."

Ichigo changed lanes on the highway. "Well, that is regrettable."

"I mean it's not like I haven't tried. But it is kind of early to be doing anything." Orihime looked at the clock on his dashboard.

Ichigo checked the time and nodded. "You're right. How about we start off with some breakfast?"

"I'm not hungry," she said. Her stomach suddenly made a roaring hunger sound. She turned red from embarrassment.

"Your stomach tells me otherwise." Ichigo chuckled.

"Fine breakfast."

Pulling up in front of Orihime's house gate, Ichigo could not help but stare at it in amazement. It was huge!

He put the car in park and looked over at her. She pulled off her seat belt and leaned over toward Ichigo's side. She pushed the button to open the window. She leaned over further to stretch out the window to push in her code for the gate. Ichigo felt her breast on his chest and could smell the small scent of strawberry shampoo. He felt hot. No woman has made him feel this way. Without knowing it, his foot pushed down on the gas pedal roaring the engine. Orihime leaned back to look at him.

"Are you okay? I'm not hurting you, am I?"

He cleared his throat so he could get his erection under control. "I'm fine." Hearing the soft beep sound, it indicated that the gate was opening. Ichigo shifted the gear out of park and pulled up the long driveway to the front of her house… more like a mansion.

"You can come in. I might be a while." Nodding he parked the car and turned off the engine.

They both got out of the car. Orihime stood at the door smacking her head. Ichigo jumped at the assault she inflicted on herself.

"What's wrong?" he asked out of concern.

"I forgot that I don't have my purse."

"Where is it? Did you leave it at my house?"

"No, I left it in my car at the hotel where Ulquiorra is," Orihime whispered.

"Ulquiorra? Who is that?"

She jumped. "I'm sorry, forget I said that."

Orihime looked around the ground and found the flowerpot. She picked it up and took up the key that was hidden underneath. Removing the key, she placed the flowerpot back down and walked back to the door. She then opened the door, rushing to push in the code securing the house.

"Come in," she walked to her house phone. She searched through her phonebook by her phone, and she found Momo's cellphone number. "Hello Hinamori, I need you to call the Grand Hotel and tell them that my car is still in the valet parking lot. I need someone to pick it up and send it to my home. I left my purse along with my cell phone in it. Make sure everything is secure. Thank you; you have a nice weekend as well." Orihime hung up the phone. "Please come in and make yourself comfortable I need to make another call.

Ichigo stepped inside and was amazed at what he saw. Her home was magnificent. The different art paintings and sculptures that popped out in her sitting room and the decorative couch and loveseat with the ottoman to match. The plants that sat at the window seals gave the room a warm feeling, everything felt like home. He walked further into the room and saw family portraits that had four people. He picked up the photo and saw an older woman that resembled Orihime, an older man with deep brown hair, a young boy in his teens with the same brown hair, and a toddler holding on to him with short auburn hair. He knew it was Orihime's family when she was younger. He couldn't help but smile.

He put the photo back and picked up another one only containing a middle school Orihime and the same young man with brown hair but older probably around Ichigo's current age. The man looked so tired but happy. They both looked so happy in the picture. Placing it back he picked up another picture only of Orihime in high school in her uniform for graduation. She still looked happy. Another photo caught his eye. He picked it up and his eyes narrowed at it. It was of her smiling not at the camera but at the man standing next to her. He had lifeless green eyes and messy black hair. He was holding onto Orihime's waist like she was his lifeline. He felt a surge of jealousy. Turning his attention back to Orihime, she was beautiful in this picture as well. She had a beautiful gown that matched her eyes and that clung to her body. He could not help but stare at her sparkling eyes that stared at the man beside her.

"That's Ulquiorra Cifer," a whisper came from behind him. Ichigo turned his head and saw Orihime staring at the picture with sad eyes.

"Oh yeah?" He said placing the picture down. "You seem happy."

"Yes, I was happy," she emphasized. "That was my college's homecoming night."

"Wow really? What college did you go to?" he asked out of curiosity.

"Tokyo U."

"Really? I went there, but I never saw you there. Then again it is a big school." Orihime was still staring at the photo, and Ichigo noticed this. "He must mean a lot to you."

She shook her head. "The complete opposite, he hurt me very badly. Apparently, I can't bring myself to throw the photo away."

"Why not?"

Orihime sighed. "Because I don't want to believe the same man in this photo is the same man that hurt me that same night. We were so happy. He made me feel so alive when we were together. He may seem very serious in that picture but when I got to know him, he was quite funny." She smiled. "He was my first for a lot of things. I thought we would get married after graduation but one night ruined all my ideas of that."

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened?" Orihime turned her attention to Ichigo. "That night was supposed to be special, right? Did he leave you for another girl at homecoming?"

Orihime waved her hands in front of her body. "No nothing like that. He never cheated on me." She closed her eyes and clasped her hands closed. "He was supposed to be my first that night. You know taking away my virginity." Ichigo nodded for her to continue. She took a deep breath. "But it did not turn out romantic. It was a nightmare. He got drunk that night. Everything was supposed to be perfect and romantic, but he was drunk. It was forceful and painful. Not only did he inflict physical pain but emotional pain. That night he called me all types of names. And he didn't yell those words like most drunk people but instead, he whispered them every time he would enter me. We also did it without protection and I ended up pregnant." Orihime gripped her hands tighter.

Ichigo watched her. He did not know what to say.

"When I found out that I was pregnant, I told him, and he told me to get an abortion immediately. He told me he had big plans after graduation. I still loved him, so I told him no. We were supposed to get married anyway after graduation and getting pregnant earlier than planned, I was happy. I guess my objections to the whole abortion made him upset. He continued to pressure me to abort the baby, but I still refused. With graduation around the corner and a baby in the oven, I was happy. But not Ulquiorra. One night he asked me out on a date, and I thought he had finally changed his mind. I was sadly mistaken.

"We had dinner and he seemed happy until he asked me once again to have an abortion. I told him even if I did change my mind, I could not have an abortion because I was five months pregnant. After I told him that he was quiet for the rest of the night until it was time for him to take me home. When we were walking a group of six came out of nowhere and tried to rob both Ulquiorra and I. They cornered him and began beating on him while two of the other participants made me watch. I started screaming because all I saw was blood pouring down Ulquiorra's face and I panicked thinking they were going to kill him. I guess one of the gang members got fed up with my screaming and pushed me down a flight of stairs to keep quiet. I don't remember much after that, but when I woke up, I was in the hospital. I was in the hospital for about 2 weeks with a severe concussion. But I could not understand that I was in the hospital alone. Ulquiorra was not by my side. And what broke me down more was that I lost my baby. It was painful because no one was there to help me through it.

"My best friend Tatsuki found out that I was in the hospital and was even more shocked to find out that I was pregnant, to begin with. She was in another country for a tournament, so it slipped my mind to even try to call her. When I told her what had happened, she looked at me like I was losing my mind. I wasn't sure what she meant by that, but she told me that Ulquiorra had no type of injuries whatsoever. She told me I was probably imagining the whole attack. But I know what I saw." Orihime stared at Ichigo. "To this very day, I can't help but think that he set up that whole attack just so I could lose the baby." Tears started to slide down her cheeks. "When I confronted Ulquiorra about the whole ordeal he looked at me like I was crazy. I asked him why he didn't visit me in the hospital. He told me he thought I went away to see Tatsuki in a different country. He claimed that he did not know that I was in the hospital.

"After some time, I started to believe him. I thought because I was pregnant, I was hallucinating the attack, but I know what I saw!" she wiped her tears away. "I must have been really foolish because, after that, I continued to date him. I was never happy after. I had lost my baby to the man that I thought I loved, the sex was emotionless, and we never really went on dates. Slowly, I drifted away from him. After we graduated, I quickly left for my aunt's home and stayed there for a couple of years. There I learned some things and created my own business."

Ichigo watched her closely. Listening to her story he understood that she really was fifty shades of fucked up but listening to her story he couldn't really blame her. That bastard Ulquiorra made her this way.

Orihime straighten up. "I'm sorry that's more than you asked for, but it felt good getting it off my chest." Ichigo nodded. She turned her back to him. "I'm going to get changed. I'll be down soon." She dragged herself up the stairs.

"Yeah," Ichigo watched her. He turned back towards the photo and stared at it. The man started to look like trouble after hearing her story. He picked up the photo and took a good look at it. The man did look familiar as he stared at it longer. He had seen him before but couldn't put his finger on where.

Ichigo closed his eyes and tried to think of the places he had seen him. Shaking his head, he took out his phone. "Renji."

"Yo Kurosaki," Renji replied.

"I need you and Rukia to do me a favor. Look up this guy's name, Ulquiorra Cifer."

"Why?" Renji asked.

"Just do it," Ichigo ended the call. Still staring at the photo, he gripped the photo. Orihime did not deserve to be treated as a fool and he was going to find out why this man pissed him off so much.

WOW AMAZING, I should say.

So there elaborates the relationship between Ulqiuorra and Orihime.

The next chapter will be uploaded soon this week.

Feedback is always appreciated because you all are AWESOME!