Being the owner of a multi-million dollar company, Ichigo had some work he had to get done. He tried to keep the work, but he was about to get an unexpected call. His personal cell phone went off and he was surprised to see it was Orihime.

"Orihime?" Ichigo said and took the call. "Hey, Orihime."

"Hi, Ichigo. Is this a bad time?" Orihime asked.

"No. I'm just doing some boring paperwork. What's going on?" Ichigo asked.

"Well, I was wondering... Since things actually went up in flames last time..." Orihime said with a giggle as she couldn't help herself. "I was thinking...maybe you and I could meet up. We didn't get the chance to catch up with each other before. That's assuming you're not all that busy."

"Too busy for you? I don't think so." Ichigo said. "My company has a cafeteria. You can swing by and we can eat here. You can even see my company for yourself."

"That sounds great." Orihime said as she was looking forward to seeing Ichigo again. Hours passed and Ichigo waited by the main lobby of his company for Orihime to show up. When he saw her come in, he was glad to see her come by.

"Orihime, I'm glad you made it." Ichigo said.

"Thank you." Orihime said as she had a look around. "Wow... I remember coming by here once before. It's just as great as I remember. I can't believe it's really all yours now."

"This is nothing. Come on. Are you hungry?" Ichigo offered as the two of them made their way. Ichigo gave Orihime a tour of the company while heading to the cafeteria. Orihime was amazed that Ichigo actually owned all of it and what his company has been making. Eventually, the two of them reached the cafeteria and had their own private room so that nobody bothers them.

"Wow. This food is rather good." Orihime said.

"I aim to please." Ichigo said. "Well, you've seen what I've been up to since high school. What about you? What have you been doing since graduation."

"I've been doing some part-time work." Orihime said. "It's not as glamorous as what you've been doing, but I've actually been managing a bakery."

"You actually run your own small business? That doesn't sound so bad." Ichigo said. "You always had quite a taste. Although, I guess it was rather difficult. Forgive me, but I was aware you had some financial troubles at school. You never knew your parents, your older brother raised you, but he died in a car accident. You had relatives provide financial support, but not enough that you could go to college."

"It's okay, Ichigo. That stuff doesn't really bother me." Orihime said. "I really don't mind how things are. Working at a bakery is actually a lot of fun. Plus, I still get to see you." She said as she was actually happy with how her life was. "By the way, do you know about this mysterious dark figure known as Mugetsu?"

"I think everyone knows about him." Ichigo said.

"Well, he saved me from that fire, but I can't shake this feeling that I know him somehow." Orihime claimed, but that could be bad for Ichigo for he doesn't want her to know. "I wonder who he is."

"You and a lot of other people, but I don't think we'll ever know." Ichigo said.

"Maybe, but it does have me think of something else." Orihime said. "It has me thinking about you, Ichigo. I've heard a few things about you like how you're a bachelor, playing woman, and how you string them along only to disappear." Ichigo didn't really know how to answer that. "The thing is... That isn't the Ichigo I know or remember. The smile in your photos of those magazines seems...fake."

"Fake? What makes you say that?" Ichigo questioned.

"Because I've seen what the Ichigo is like, and I know this isn't you." Orihime said. Ichigo didn't know what to think. She has known him during the time he was working himself to take over the company and to become Mugetsu. He was different compared to what the public see. How much of him does Orihime really know? After the two of them ate, Ichigo escorted Orihime out of the building. "It really is an amazing company, Ichigo."

"Thanks, and you can come by again." Ichigo said. Just then, someone ran by and snatched Orihime's purse and tried to run with it. "Hey!" Ichigo chased after the guy, but he didn't get very far. The guy already seemed winded and could barely breathe. "Are you okay?" Ichigo reached out for the guy, but he collapsed without Ichigo doing anything. That did not seem normal and the guy did not look good. Even Orihime seemed concerned about him.

...

The Hospital

Ichigo and Orihime brought the purse snatcher to the hospital. He looked like he was in bad shape. Uryu himself took a look at the guy to try and find what is wrong with him.

"What do you think, Uryu?" Ichigo asked.

"We ran a brain scan." Uryu said. "It's strange. There are abnormal readings within orbitofrontal cortex. That's the part of the brain that stimulates pleasure. However, it seems that is affecting the brain parts that aid in balance, endurance, and what else aids in his physical condition."

"Is it serious?" Orihime questioned.

"It's hard to say because it's not clear what could be causing something like this." Uryu said. "The worst part is that this isn't the first patient that is suffering from something like this. Reports from other hospitals are coming in with patients of the same symptoms. Once they're clear to leave, it doesn't take long for them to end up back."

"Poor things." Orihime said as she felt so bad for those people.

"Another scary part is that some of them have been seen stealing money from others." Uryu said. "The police reports say that some of them have been convicted of petty theft. Something weird is going on." Ichigo wanted to take a good look at the patient to find something, but he can't do that with Orihime looking over his shoulder.

"Orihime, if you don't mind, could you get me some coffee. Help yourself to whatever you like as well." Uryu said as cover.

"Sure." Orihime said as she left the two of them alone.

"I know what you're thinking, and I'm a step ahead of you." Uryu said. "I already took a look at the rest of his body and I did feel something off about his hand. There's a special ink on it that causes it to glow in the dark."

"Ink? You think he's been to a night club or something?" Ichigo questioned.

"Yes, and he's been visiting there frequently." Uryu said. "I wish I could go myself, but I've got my hands full here. Sadly, it means I have to leave this to you. The club he's been visiting is called Dark Angel." Whatever is going on, it sounds like a promising lead.

...

A Dark Room

Uryu was right. There was something going on. Since Uryu mentioned that the part of the brain that stimulates pleasure was showing abnormal readings, someone was using it to make profit. Somewhere in a dark room, at least three people were wired to some sort of virtual reality simulator. They all appeared to be sleeping, but they were dreaming pleasantly.

"Yes... Dream... See your ambitions and desires fulfilled." Someone was controlling the machine and allowing them to see what they want. "Let's see what they're dreaming." He used monitors to see what they were dreaming. One person was dreaming of being a rock star. "Being famous... How typical." One woman was dreaming of being married to the man she loves. "Love... Of course." The last one was a man with many woman being quite lewd. "That's almost too inappropriate for the public. Time to pull him out." He worked his machined and pulled the guy out of his dream.

"What? What's going on?" The man said as he saw he was back in reality. "My time can't be up already! Please! Put me back in!"

"I'm sorry, Joey. You know the rules. If you want another round, you're going to have to pay for it."

"But I don't have anymore money." Joey said.

"That's okay. I can wait until you do. Now, off you go. Let someone else have a chance. You might also need a cold shower." Joey wasn't ready to give up so easily. He wants back in, but there's a problem. His vision is getting hazy and his body feels weak. Perhaps this is too much of a good thing.

...

Dark Angel

The Dark Angel was a club down in Karakura. That was where Mugetsu was heading as he pulled up near the club in the Black Blade. He watched from the club and saw people get in. Their hands were stamped with special ink that glows in the dark. If there really is something going on in there, he's going to find it. Leaving the Black Blade, Mugetsu snuck around and climbed up a ladder to the roof. He took a look down in the skylight to see something.

"I never did like places like this." Mugetsu complained. He had a look around the club with it having neon lights, people dancing, and probably doing some stupid stuff. He looked around for anything that seems suspicious in there. He tried to find anyone that could be trouble...and soon saw it. Joey thought he was being sly and went unnoticed as he snatched a woman's purse from a bar, but Mugetsu saw him and saw him run to a door that leads to the basement. "Gotcha."

...

The Basement

"Here! You can have whatever is in this purse!" Joey said as he hurried back to that machine. "Please let me have another session!"

"Joey, others want a turn. Don't be greedy."

"Please! I want another turn!" Joey pleaded as he threw the purse at the man in charge for payment.

"Very well." He allowed Joey another turn in that machine. Joey hurried over to the machine and got himself hooked again.

"Now I know why so many people are getting sick." The man running this whole thing turned to the entrance and saw Mugetsu walking right in. "Step into the light. Show me your face." The guy did just that as he was in a white robe with a lavender fur collar. He also had dark markings around his eyes.

"The great mysterious figure known as Mugetsu. I didn't think you would find me. My name is Muramasa."

"What is all of this? Just what are you doing?" Mugetsu questioned.

"I am just simply helping people living out their dreams and desires." Muramasa said. "My machine places them in virtual reality. By tapping into the orbitofrontal cortex of the brain, my machine is producing a reality that gives them what they desire, everything that pleases them is now right before their eyes. It even applies the brain that affects all five senses that has your body thinking it is real. Impressive, wouldn't you say?"

"Not really." Mugetsu said as he found this greatly upsetting.

"What's so wrong with it?" Muramasa questioned. "People are living their fantasies. I worked as a hypnotist before. I've studied the brain and know how it works. People are capable of experiencing the things they desire the most."

"It's not real." Mugetsu said. "They can't live in fantasies. Besides, it's an addiction just like vaping, drinking, and more. It's bad for their health. People are ending up in the hospital because of this, or they're resorting to stealing money so you will allow them to use the machine again."

"Perhaps, but all good things must come with some sort of price." Muramasa claimed.

"I'll find this pleasing without paying a thing." Mugetsu said as he held up his blade. "Step away from the controls. This operation of yours is shutting down."

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Muramasa questioned as he reached for a weapon of his own. "I could fix you up. All the things you want in life could be yours."

"It won't work on me." Mugetsu claimed.

"Don't be silly. Everyone has some forms of desire and pleasure." Muramasa said. "All you have to do is step into the machine."

"It won't work on me because what I desire the most at the moment can't be done." Mugetsu said. He went on and tried to attack, but Muramasa had a katana with him and blocked Mugetsu's attack. "What?!"

"Surprised?" Muramasa said. He tried fighting back as he swung his katana. He tried to land a strike, but Mugetsu blocked each one of his attacks. Muramasa swung down hard, but Mugetsu blocked it and tried to keep it back. Muramasa tried pressing down as hard as he could, but Mugetsu has had enough of this.

"No more playing." Mugetsu said as he pushed back and knocked Muramasa off. Muramasa tried swinging his sword at him again, but Mugetsu swung back and knocked Muramasa's katana right out of his hands. Then, Mugetsu spun around and kicked Muramasa back with him smashing against the controls.

"Wait! Are you sure you want to do this?!" Muramasa said. "I can hook you up right now! The things you desire could be all yours!"

"None of it is real!" Mugetsu said with anger because what he wants the most is something can't have. Mugetsu swung his blade against the controls and broke it with the machine shutting down. All those inside were coming out, but they were all weak. "The only thing that's going to make me happy now is you going to jail. I'm sure there are lots of people in Rukon that could use some cheering up."

"Does sound like a gold mine, but I doubt I'll get my chance." Muramasa said as he had another hidden switch. When he pressed it, a series of flashing lights went off that blinded Mugetsu.

"Muramasa!" Mugetsu called as he tried reaching for him, but couldn't see him anywhere. Mugetsu felt around for the switch to shut off the lights until he finally found it. When he shut off the lights, he could see again, but he saw that Muramasa managed to escape.

"You haven't seen the last of me, Mugetsu!" Muramasa called, but Mugetsu had no way of going after him. Even Mugetsu can't get them all the time. A machine meant for you to see the things you desire and please the most... Too bad it can't do the impossible for Mugetsu.

...

Mugetsu

After shutting that machine down, Mugetsu put Muramasa's little scheme out of business. With Mugetsu finding that machine, the doctors can study it so they know exactly what to do to help people who have suffered from it. They're also seeking some mental help to try and break the addiction. It is hard to give up on the things you want the most, and that machine made one feel like they had all they wanted, but Mugetsu didn't need to try it. He gave up on wanting the thing he desired the most a long time ago.

"The one thing I want the most, but can't have..." Mugetsu said as he placed a flower near the gravestone... Misaki Kurosaki's, his mother's, grave. What he wanted the most was to have his mother alive again, but he knows that will never happen. That might have been what he desired the most currently, but the future could lead you to the things you might want even more.

"These are for you, Sora." Mugetsu heard the voice of someone he knew. He looked behind his mother's grave and saw that Orihime was making a visit to a grave as well. She placed the flowers at her brother's grave and paid her respects.

"I almost forgot that Orihime's brother was buried here as well." Mugetsu mumbled. Orihime thought she was alone, but she suddenly got the feeling that she wasn't.

"Hello? Is someone there?" Orihime said as she looked around and saw Mugetsu, but Mugetsu made a run for it. "Mugetsu?" Orihime was curious as to what he was doing here. She hurried over after him, but she saw he was already gone. She didn't know what he was doing until she noticed the grave of Misaki Kurosaki. When she thought about that with what she thought of Mugetsu before, it soon came to her as to he might be. "Ichigo?" If she knows the truth, what is she going to do about it?