Author's Notes:

Hey sorry for the wait. This one is a bit long.

Disclaimer – Near Death Experience and Adult Themes

Enjoy!

His Concubine: The Kingmaker

Ichigo

No!

Shit!

Oh shit!

It was like a nightmare. My father was a rabid beast. It took everything in me not to draw my sword and impale him with it. Kirio tried to help but could only scream for help.

Isshin was holding onto Orihime while I held onto him. Having him in a chokehold with tears falling down my cheeks could not block the image of a red-faced Orihime gradually dying.

She means more to me than I have been letting on. She's more than a means to a cure. I can't say for sure what she means to my life but I can't afford to lose her.

"Please! She didn't do it!" I begged. But it was like my words were falling on deaf ears. "Let her go! Please don't kill her! She's an Inoue and I need her to live!" I wailed.

That made him stagger. My father let her go and I agonizingly slowly let him go too. He turned to face me. His face was red from lack of oxygen, but it seemed to not faze him. His nostrils flared.

"She's a what?" he hissed.

Tears fell. "She's an Inoue… my cure. Father, please don't kill her."

The loud sound echoed through Orihime's chambers had reached my ears before the stinging sensation was felt. He had smacked me causing spurts of blood to hit the floor. Kirio gasped as she ran to me, but I pushed her away. I pointed to Orihime who laid unmoving. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth as I gathered it to spit it out.

"You brought that into the castle knowing what and who she was?"

I slowly blinked to get my equilibrium centered. My eyes concentrated on watching Kirio give Orihime oxygen through mouth to mouth. "Yes, sir."

He slapped me again and grabbed my arm before I hit the ground from the impact. "Do you have any idea what you have done?" he growled. My eyes drifted back to Kirio. She was still giving mouth-to-mouth.

How long?

How long has she been out of oxygen?

The unbearable pressure of my father's grip on my arm drew my attention away. I could feel his nails digging into my skin. "Why would you let her in here and near you? Near us?" I didn't answer him because I was waiting for her to breathe. To inhale a deep breath to let me know she was alive. That she was still here with me.

Yet, nothing.

"You're a disappointment," Isshin muttered. "Raising you to be strong, independent, and worthy to become an emperor and this is how you repay me? Bringing this cursed blood deviant through our shelter gates to harm your mother. Is this some sort of retribution because I said you need to get married?" My eyes slowly drifted up to his. Fury was written all over his face. "Answer me!"

"I told him to bring her here."

My back went ramrod straight. My father looked over my shoulder. His brown eyes were once filled with rage were then replaced by panic and betrayal. I glanced over to my mother behind me. The fragile state of her body was being held by the physician and Oka. Behind them were Renji, Mizuiro, Shinji, Keigo, and Rukia. Eyes filled with worry with the commotion happening. Rukia was the only one to bypass my mother to help Kirio with Orihime.

"Why are you out of bed?" Isshin said, glancing at Oka who shamelessly bowed her head. Looking back at his wife, Isshin glared. "Go back to your chambers. You are still not well."

"I told him to bring her here to keep him alive," Masaki said ignoring him. The physician tried to keep her from sliding to the floor as she stepped forward, but she pushed his hand off. Stepping into Orihime's chambers, she glared back at her husband. She was near us breathing shallow breaths. "He is the heir to the throne… and for him to be that, he needs to be alive and healthy. Correct?"

"What the hell does that have to do with her?" He pointed at Orihime who was still slumped on the ground.

"Everything!" Masaki yelled. She coughed, slightly stumbling but kept her upright stance. Isshin grabbed her arm to bring her closer to him.

"Bullshit," he harshly whispered. "She is the cause of this fiasco. Getting you sick, setting the Crown Prince down a path of disloyalty unbefitting of this nation. All of it. So don't tell me she has anything to do with keeping our son alive. Ichigo is fine."

"Fine?" Masaki chuckled, but it did not hold any humor to it. "Killing the servants every few weeks is fine? Leaving a bloody mess for other servants to clean is fine? Having to send our twins to other respective houses for marriage training early because we didn't want them in his path of bloody rage is fine? Dammit Isshin think!"

My eyes widen hearing about my twin sisters' departure away from the castle being my fault. Watching Yuzu cry because she didn't want to leave and Karin barely speaking to me as she got in her carriage, everything about that day made sense. However, hearing it from my own mother's mouth and concluding all their lives were in disarray because of me hurts.

Was Orihime right?

Was my mere existence worth fearing?

"She did nothing wrong my love!" Masaki wailed pulling my attention away from my thoughts. "This is all your fault."

"What?" Her anger took Isshin aback.

"You caused all this damage to your family because of your paranoia."

"Paranoia?"

"Yes." Swallowing the tears falling from her eyes, Masaki kept going. "I wouldn't be as sick if you just listened to me twenty-three years ago. Suppose you didn't kill that poor child who was there for a ritual that has been in my family far longer than life itself, I would be okay. Yet, you killed her, dragged the Inoue clan here, killed their elders, and banished them. But you weren't finished were you!" Her body began trembling. "You went back five years later and slaughtered every last one of them after Ichigo was born just because he didn't show signs of the illness yet. You doomed our child because you were paranoid, that they would seek revenge.

"But they weren't. I grew up with those people. They were my family and you killed them because you were scared that they might retaliate." Masaki grabbed at her chest and started beating it with a closed fist. "It's one thing to banish them and then make your soldiers kill my best friend, Lady Orihime's mother because you didn't listen to me but now, you're trying to kill her because of a misunderstanding. She has the gift my love… we are blessed to know at least one Inoue descendant is alive to help cure our son but you're willing to snuff it away. So yes, Isshin dear… my love this is all your fault."

Pointing her finger at him, she spoke through clenched teeth. "Don't you dare touch her again. She is my son's saving grace while you're his only demise." When she whispered that last word, her body gave in itself, and she collapsed. I reached over to catch her before her head hit the floor. The physician and Senior Oka moved as well.

My father pushed me out of the way to cradle my mother's head. Both Oka and the physician silently watched him. Slowly stroking her sweaty hair, he mumbled. "I only did that to keep you safe. I did everything to keep you safe."

I watched him kiss her forehead and whisper some words into her ears. She focused her eyes on the ceiling as tears fell listening to him. Knowing my father, my mother is his weakness, and seeing her angry and sick put his rationality to the test.

A shaky gasp pulled my attention from my parents. Kirio was thanking the heavens as Rukia picked up Orihime who was struggling to inhale deep breaths.

"Get her out of here." Turning back to my parents, Isshin was still stroking my mother's head. Without looking up at me he spoke again. "Get her out of this castle before I kill her this time."

Renji and Keigo moved to take Orihime from Rukia's arms. She protested but Renji glanced at her before shaking his head. She quickly backed down. He looked at me sending me a message through his eyes. He was sending her to my quarters to recuperate and leaving the final decisions up to me. Whether I listen to my father's words or ignore them as I have done before, I have a choice to make.

However, after today, I wasn't willing to take that risk again. Seeing the life drain from her eyes and having no way of stopping it.

Kirio touched my arm grabbing my attention away from Keigo and Renji leaving. "She needs to see a doctor. She wasn't breathing for over five minutes. I can only imagine the damage the lack of oxygen may have caused." I nodded in understanding.

Rukia followed behind her leaving me with my parents. Once the fusuma was closed, I gazed at them. Isshin was still stroking Masaki's hair while whispering in her ears. Her eyes were slowly closing as his words lulled her to sleep.

"Do you wish to see me die?" I asked.

My father stopped his hand and trailed his eyes up to me. "What did you just say?"

"Exactly what you heard. Do you wish to see me die?" I wiped the dry blood from my lips. "Since I disappoint you and my illness continues to put your family at risk… would it be better if I die?"

Isshin sighed and glanced down at his wife. The shallow breaths and sweat were concerning but she was asleep. "I want you to live a normal happy life."

"My life is anything but normal Father. I'm sick and Orihime can cure me."

"You and your mother have this ideology about that girl as if she's some sort of a god. She's an ordinary woman that has the treacherous Inoue blood running through her veins."

"But how do you know she's ordinary? You assumed the same thing about the girl who was sent here to heal mother… but you killed her before anything could be proven."

"Are you calling me paranoid too?"

I can see the hurt in his eyes from my mother's words. Hearing the woman who gives you life call you a paranoid vigilante who was the cause of her children's demise would do that. Licking my lips and tasting the dry blood, I tried to approach him from a different angle.

"When she kisses me… the bloodlust goes away for about a week. Each time I touch her… my bloodlust is replaced with something… else."

His eyes widened before he chuckled dryly. "So what? Having sex with her may cure you?"

"What? How could you jump to that conclusion from what I said?"

"Why not? You said you desire something else. It can't be anything else but sex. I'm surprised you haven't had your way with her already. The way you were parading her around as your exclusive concubine, and only interacting with her more than the other two, you have yet to claim her as your own?"

"I'm being serious."

"And you think I'm not?" He glared at me. "You're only replacing one desire for another. If you haven't touched her yet… you've now focused your attention on that task. Once that's done, then what? You will go right back to killing and mutilating other women. Ichigo, you've done it before and will continue to do it again until you have an offspring of your own to pass the curse onto."

"I did no such thing."

Isshin chuckled this time while shaking his head. "That courtesan woman who played the koto when you were 18 at the banquet. Remember her." Panic started growing within me. "You lusted after her and then she wound up dead. You even burned her body to hide that fact. The next one was the lady-in-waiting… what was her name again? The one with purple hair."

Cirucci.

How does he know?

"Ah, Cirucci. The mutilation on that poor woman's body… you fucked her then killed her right there." His brown eyes were trained on me. "Now you have this fixation on that Inoue girl. Once you have your way with her… you will ruin her too. How will you top your maiming of Cirucci with her? That is something I'm looking forward to."

He stood up, gathering my still-sleeping mother in his arms. "Fine. I will let it go. I will no longer protest her being here. I will not talk to or acknowledge her. Let her stay here since she will be satisfying your needs. When it is time, I want front-row seats to her execution." He had this sinister smile spreading across his face. "Once the cloudiness of your illness disappears and you realize what you had done… only then will you know how right I am."

Isshin made his way to the fusuma, sliding it open, and stepped out of Orihime's chambers. Shinji was standing there waiting. "Don't say I didn't warn you, son. Remember I know you because you are my son." With those final words, he left me standing there doubting what I should do.

~s~

Orihime

Auburn hair obscured the hazel eyes staring at me as the hand pushed me back.

"Stay behind me you two."

The screams of women, men shouting obscenities, and children crying did not distract me from those hazel eyes slowly filling with tears.

"You two have to stay behind me."

"Mama… where's papa." I turned to the small voice. Her face was similar to mine, but her black hair and green eyes differed.

Looking back up at the teary hazel eyes, I spoke up too. "and Sora too."

Her hands caressed our cheeks. "My babies… it's just us now." The door behind her burst open and two tall men walked in. One with dirty blonde hair, and the other with blue hair, both with their swords drawn. I noticed the heavy amounts of blood dripping from the edges. Their eyes zeroed in on us. My mother's body blocked my view as she pushed us further behind her. "What do you want?"

"The Emperor has ordered us to kill you," one of them said. "No one shall leave this place alive… that includes the brats behind you."

"They're only babies. Only two-years-old. Please don't do this."

"We only take orders from the royal family. Now step aside woman."

"Please…" her hand gripped my shoulder pushing me and my sister closer together. Tears were welling up in my eyes. I might not see it, but I can hear how scared our mother was. Both father and brother Sora were not here to help us.

"Please… Imperial Princess Masaki would not allow this," my mother said with conviction. "She needs them alive for her own children to live."

"Are you threatening Her Highness' child and future offspring?"

"If you see it as such then sure, but if you kill them… you are putting this nation in danger as well. Her future children are the legacies of His Majesty."

Gripping the hems of her cosmos (autumn cherry blossoms) kosode, I stared at my sister's tear-stained face. She was just as scared as me, but we listened.

"Even if what you're saying is true, he doesn't want no Inoues to walk this earth while he's alive."

"Okay. Then kill me only, but not them. I'm the one he wants dead. I'm the one with the knowledge and power that can turn the tides of his life. So, kill me."

They didn't respond. The eerie silence made me glimpse from behind her leg. The man with dirty blonde hair locked eyes with me. I could see the conflicting emotions of hesitation and guilt forming.

The blue-haired man spoke up breaking the silence. "The Emperor's orders are absolute."

"Then you have doomed his legacy to death," my mother said. "Do you want my children's blood on your hands when that same blood could save their lives? His Majesty's children's lives."

The blue-haired man's honey-gold eyes narrowed. Turning to his companion he spoke again. "You have the final say, Kisuke. You are the leader of this mission. What will you choose?"

The blonde-haired man named Kisuke did not look away from me. "Mayuri. Let me handle this. You take care of the rest."

Mayuri hesitated to look away from Kisuke before facing my mother. "Very well then. This was one of the last dwellings, so don't expect my return to be unexpected." He then turned to leave.

"Now tell me why your children are special," Kisuke said softly as he put his sword away.

"My daughters can help His Majesty when the time is right, but until then… I must entrust you will keep them alive and safe. Only you can do this Kisuke Urahara." His eyes widened when my mother said his full name. Glancing behind her to look at us, she stroked our cheeks. "Orihime and Nemu have to be separated for this to work."

My eyes opened and closed rapidly as tears fell from the corners, down the helix of my ear, and onto the pillow I rested my head on.

"She's awake."

The soft voice made me glance to the side. Rukia smiled at me in relief. She moved in close to use her thumb to wipe my fallen tears. "How are you feeling? Blink once if you're okay and twice if you aren't. Speaking may be a little hard." Her eyes traveled down to my neck.

Her attention there made the dull pain increase tenfold. Everything came flooding back making me choke out a sob.

I was alive?

After that?

I'm alive?

"I…" I started coughing and wheezing from the crushed injury to my voice box.

"Easy. It'll be a while before you can talk," Rukia said. "Kirio went to the garden to pick some herbs so we can make a medicine to get rid of the swelling." Using my hand, I touched the heated area. I tried to swallow, but that hurts too. The Emperor had made it clear I could die by his bare hands and no one could stop him. "With the medicine, it will be like what had happened didn't."

I snapped my eyes to hers. She couldn't be serious. Even if the bruises disappeared… the memory, the pain, and the mere look in his eyes are forever etched into my brain. I was killable to everyone in this castle, and I was trapped.

"It did happen Rukia."

I glanced to my left to see Ichigo standing off to the side with his head down. "No matter if the bruises go away… the fact my father put his hands around her neck to the point of passing out… the memory of him doing it will never go away."

She looked at him and then back at me. "I'm sorry… I wasn't thinking." Rukia's eyes glazed over in tears. "I'm just happy you're alive. Seeing you laying there… not breathing…" she trailed off nodding. "You're right. The memory stays with you." I closed my eyes. Seeing her cry over what could have happened was not helping me. It was making me angry. "I'm guessing you knew this was going to happen?"

I opened my eyes to see her staring at me.

What?

As if understanding me, Rukia spoke again. "When we were in the kitchen when I told you Her Majesty was sick and how the Emperor wanted to talk to you."

Oh.

Yeah.

I nodded slowly. "And then to find out you're an Inoue, your fears are logical. I can-"

Ichigo cleared his throat cutting her off as he made his way towards us. "Can you give us a minute? I need to take to her." I turned my head to look at him. My eyes filled with so many questions about my identity being revealed.

Who told her?

How does she know?

Was that why the Emperor came after me?

Say something!

Ichigo shamefully broke his eye contact with me and looked at Rukia. "Please?"

"Right now?" she asked.

"Yes. Go back to your chambers. I'll let you know when I'm done."

She looked at me in concern and then at him. "Okay. Go easy on her. She just woke up."

"I know. I was there."

"Don't get smart." She got up from the mat beside me and made her way to the fusuma. Before passing him, she touched his arm gently. "If you need me, you know where to find me."

"Yeah."

After her departure, we silently stared at each other. His brown eyes similar to both his parents were filled with guilt. Guilt I had seen once before. The ones in my dream were from Urahara and the decisions he had to make to keep me alive. To keep both me and my twin sister alive.

Nemu.

I know her name. I underwent the sharp pain of finding out her name only from a dream based on my past. According to Lord Aizen, she was alive but settled somewhere distant. I closed my eyes trying to see if we had a twin connection I'd heard about before.

Can she feel the pain I'm going through? Did she feel how close I was to departing from this place? Is it possible for me to feel her pain too? Maybe I can or can't. Maybe her life is safe and guarded. She probably isn't going through the same turmoil as me.

"I'm sorry."

His words pulled me from my thoughts. Blinking myself back into reality, I stared at him. He had found himself occupying the same spot Rukia was just in.

"What?" I flinched at my hoarse voice. I began coughing from the lack of use. He reached out to help me but paused. He dropped his hand back to his lap and watched me struggle. Finally calming down, I glanced at him.

Ichigo broke eye contact to stare at the futon. "I was saying I'm sorry. What my father did was inexcusable and from what Rukia had said… you can guess I was the one who outed you as an Inoue to him."

"Who else knows?" I croaked out harshly. He looked up at me not answering. "Who else?" I found myself speaking louder causing my throat muscles to strain.

"By the end of the day… probably everyone in this castle. Rumors spread pretty quickly in here."

I closed my eyes and placed my hands over them to stop the tears. The shadows the Emperor had mentioned for being Ichigo's concubine may have grown because everyone knows I'm an Inoue.

"You've sentenced me to death," I cried softly.

"You will not die. I won't allow it."

"It doesn't matter what you say or do… you saw what happened. I will not survive here."

"You survived then, and you will survive moving forward," Ichigo said without looking away from me this time. As much as he wants his words to comfort me, they don't. "I'm sorry for not preventing this much damage but from now on… you have my word. I will protect you."

I shook my head winching at the surrounding pain around my neck. "Don't apologize. You did nothing wrong. I, however, owe myself the biggest apology for putting up with this chaos. I deserve it."

"I don't care what you say, you deserve to be happy."

I do but since being stuck here… will I ever achieve that happiness he says I deserve.

"My father is set in his ways," Ichigo began. "He was raised to be in control of those around him. This caused him to be a controlling and manipulative person. No one questions it and he doesn't question himself. Controllers don't ask themselves if the question is them. They always say the problem is someone else." He was trying to make me understand why the Emperor has this displaced anger with me particularly, but I can't comprehend any of it. Nothing can excuse his obsession with my clan when they did nothing remotely wrong to him specifically.

I don't say anything, and he notices my reluctance. "Again, I'm sorry." I let him apologize this time because there was no point in trying to stop him. He needs the forgiveness. He needs this more than me.

Unfortunately, that is something I cannot give to him. At least not right now.

I close my eyes and try to dream of a time when I had the happiness worthy of me.

For the next couple of days during my recovery, Ichigo stayed by my side. He was also watching me and touching me in a way that was unlike him. I would pull away, but the heat of his touch lingered. It was confusing at times because I didn't want to acknowledge what was happening between us. Though I pulled away physically, emotionally… I needed him. And he stayed right by me. I simplified it down to being trapped in his chambers together. Personally, going back to my own quarters scared me. Remembering my near-death experience in those four walls countless amounts of times will do that to a person.

When Loly would come in to help wash me, change my clothes, and switch out the soaked herbs cloth, he would be close by watching. She couldn't even question me without him interrupting her from prying except for one instance when Ichigo had to greet the great Lords for a strategy meeting with the shogun.

When Lord Aizen had come to see me during the official visit, he was told no by Ichigo from entering the quarters. From what Loly had told me, Aizen was quite upset. Not for the fact he could not see me but because I remained behind closed doors with Ichigo. Rationally in his eyes, the closed confined space would bring me and Ichigo closer. The need for two young adults in proximity would deter me from following through with keeping my legs closed until I am appointed the Imperial Princess.

He also found out about my identity being revealed by Ichigo as well. Seeing how I cannot have visitors, Lord Aizen regards it as Ichigo protecting me from those who also despise my clan. The thought of me being born from them is disgusting and has put him in a tight spot.

I know he is stuck in a hard place because of me.

The other great Lords question Aizen, asking if he will let me go and feed me to the wolves when the time is right. Loly could not provide me an honest answer to what he had said to them in response. She only tells me to wait patiently.

"Lord Aizen will not let go unless he is ready… and he's not." Her eyes lingered on my neck. She smiled at me when she saw the bruising was gone and was replaced with pale skin. "Remember, he is putting his faith in you."

I nodded and continued my journey to healing. After about a week, Ichigo began talking to me again when my voice was fully functional. No more rasps and coughing fits. Whenever we were alone, he would speak gently and tell me about his life growing up. Little by little he opened up to me. I never realized who he was as a person until he told me himself. What Renji had said before did not compare to what Ichigo actually went through.

Ichigo practiced with his swords while I sat and watched. This was the first time I'd been outside since the lunch with both Nanao and Rukia. Even though I have not left the vicinity of his chambers, I'm lucky he has a training ground right outside the fusumas for me to sit around in. The sun was beaming down after the clouds cleared after another day of rain. As the sun was shining down, the cool air from yesterday's rain coursed around sending a chill down my spine.

Hugging my knees to my chest as I sat on the engawa (porch), I watched Ichigo swing his sword downward then straight forward in a stabbing motion. Despite the last couple of days in pain from the Emperor's attack, Ichigo had made it his mission to show how sorry he was. He displayed remorse by sneaking sweets along with my meals, having handpicked flowers next to my plate, and little scripts with poetries he had read. Some were funny and others were uplifting with hints of a romantic touch.

I appreciated the gesture by smiling, but it never reached my heart. As frightening as it has been, I'm scared to say or do anything to upset the royal family. Ichigo told me the Emperor would no longer bother me, but I heard that before from Lord Aizen yet I still ended up on his radar with murderous intent.

However, Ichigo did not give up. Today, watching him, he sheathed his sword and sat down next to me after building up a sweat. He didn't bother fixing his kosode leaving it open around his waist. My eyes studied the scars on his arms and around his chest. Turning, he took up the ceramic pottery filled with water and took a generous swig. I gazed away and twiddled my fingers to distract myself.

"Tell me more about your sisters."

Wiping his mouth of excess water, he grinned at me while putting the pottery down to the side. "Karin and Yuzu. They're twins. Born about four years after me. If you see my father with them, you will never guess he was controlling as he is." I frowned at the mention of the Emperor, but I quickly masked it.

"Aren't most fathers like that?"

"Truly."

"I haven't seen them since I've been here."

I saw the once bright light dwindle to sadness through his eyes. "They were sent off to different respective houses for marriage training. They're of that age."

"Oh." I looked away remembering how I was at 18. I was nowhere near ready for marriage, how could they?

"I recently found out my sisters were sent away to keep them safe from… you know, me."

"Because of the madness?"

Ichigo nodded. "At first it bothered me, though I'm relieved as well. They won't have to see me in a state of slaughtering those around me." I resonated with him. To have someone you cherish see you in a state of confusion brought on by an illness you cannot handle would scar anyone.

"Do you feel lonely because of your madness?"

"Ah," he sat back with his palms flat on the engawa's surface. My eyes drifted down to his sweaty abs but went right back up to his face. If he noticed me looking, he didn't react to it. "Deep in my heart, I was already a loner. I have tried to blend in with the world of socialites and be lively, but the more people I meet the more disappointed I am. The greed, the hunger for me to claim their daughters, the handouts for funds… on top of all that, battling to stay sane, all of it is exhausting. Therefore, I've learned to trust only myself, my mother, and a few good comrades." He gave me a small smile when I nodded in understanding. "Some people hate the thought of being alone in this castle, but I'm not like that. I love my solitude. I'm kind to myself because I trust myself. My feelings don't get hurt. My resources are not leeched and it's very peaceful."

"Then if your circle is so small, how do you know when you've found the right one?" I asked.

"The right one? For what?"

"Marriage… perhaps love?" Ichigo chuckled to himself. I didn't find anything funny about my question. I was being genuine with my inquiry. "I'm being serious."

His smile didn't falter as he gazed into my eyes. "The broken will always be able to love harder than most. Once you've been in the dark, you learn to appreciate everything that shines." I tilted my head in confusion at his words. Looking away, he continued. "I trust myself enough not to let anyone in. My illness is risky and my heart… I can't let myself fall in love because I could end up killing them."

I glanced down at my hands. "So, that means you will never come to love me then?" I peeked up at him to see his eyes burning a hole into my soul. Something realistic passed over his looks before he smothered it into a somewhat relaxed expression.

"Do you want me to fall in love with you?"

I shrugged. "Isn't that why you're here with me now? Keeping me confined in your chambers alone?"

"Confined?" Ichigo laughs inwardly leaning forward. "I don't know why I'm here." He shook his head facing me. "Maybe, I'm a masochist." I watched him move close to me as he lowered his lips to my ear and spoke in a harsh whisper. "I'd be inside you right now if you said you wanted me."

I inhaled sharply smelling his scent before pushing him away. "You're deflecting and trying to mask your lust logically."

He leaned back to stare at me. "My lust is logical."

"Lust is certainly not logical," I say. "It's biological to the human mind."

"My lust for you is logical," he softly spoke. "The combination of your attractive assets makes it all but impossible for me to resist you. It takes everything within me to keep from reaching out and touching you right this minute."

My body was growing hot. I could feel the moisture building between my legs. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself grounded. "Where is this coming from?"

Ichigo sighed. "I wake up and the first thing I want to do is see you to make sure you're okay. It's frustrating to open my eyes and not have the power to take your pain away. You do it so well for me… but how can I do it for you?" I felt my throat growing dry hearing his words. This was… sudden. "You asked me to care for you, and I will but I can't love you."

"I never asked you to."

He lulled his head back looking at me from the corner of his eyes. "Your soul did." I squeezed my knees tighter to my chest. His words were saying something more and I couldn't help but fall into them.

"How?" I whispered.

"Your soul knows how. It will literally tell you I am for you, and you are for me."

"If what you're saying is true, you still won't fall in love with me."

Sitting up, Ichigo reached for the back of my neck to pull me towards him. We were a breath away from each other when he spoke. "I will never fall in love with you." I inhaled sharply. The pain ached in my heart. He was basically telling me I was not worthy of love. Noticing my hurt, his thumb rubbed the edge of my neck. "Falling is an accident waiting to happen. Instead, I will walk towards that love with a reason because you are meant for me." With those words, he pulled me in sealing our lips together.

His tongue glides along the seam of my bottom lip, demanding entrance, and I can't tell which way is up, so I give in. The second our tongues meet; I know this would be the moment where I fall back and give my all to him. Forgetting everything that had happened previously, I decided to just feel.

My hands wind their way around his neck and settle deep into his orange tresses. He grips my hips and pulls my body farther into his. His kiss swallows every moan and groans out of my mouth, consuming me until there's nothing left. There is no me and him. There's only us and this moment.

A whimper escapes as his hands grab my waist and haul me up his body until my legs wrap around his waist.

Making his way to the futon still out from this morning, he laid me down on it. Our kosodes were lightweight, so he discarded his own before reaching for mine. I can hear Lord Aizen's warnings in the back of my mind, but somehow, I can only justify this moment more than a simple plan on his end.

We need each other and doing this will rationalize it.

Fully naked, he picked my legs up to hold them spread open in the air. His face inhales my scent before his tongue invades my folds and laps at the wetness he's already caused. The muscles in my stomach constrict, and my head falls back in ecstasy. His tongue expertly switches from gentle to punishing then back to gentle. I can't help but imagine how many women he has brought to sweet bliss with his tongue. How many women experienced this side of him?

A sharp sting hits me, and it takes me a moment to realize that he just bit my pussy.

"I don't know where your mind just went but focus on me." My eyes lock with his when he inserts two fingers inside of me. "Keep your eyes on me."

Listening, I watch him sink back down and suck on my clit as he pumps his two fingers deeper into me. He sets a punishing rhythm of intense, quick licks that make my toes curl before switching to soft, leisurely strokes that leave my body quaking.

I bit my lip to hold back a desperate moan, but I can't keep up when he keeps up the delicious torture until I'm coming in waves, drenching his fingers and chin. My legs buckle but he bites my center again making me yelp.

Sitting up on my elbows I look down at him. "I want to hear your moans." Sinking my teeth on my bottom lip, I nod. With no resistance like before, he inserts his fingers again inside my sensitive core. His tongue flattens soaking up my previous desire to swallow my tender bud. Lying back down, I let my hips move in sync with his fingers. Needing him to stay in a certain spot, my fingers grip his hair as his mouth sucks on my clit. Figuring out this angle that makes me feel good, he remains there. This time his rhythm is relentless to the point I erupt from my second orgasm which is harder than the first. Flutter after flutter I murmur his name until I collide back on earth.

He gives me a moment to recover before he removes his fingers and kisses my clit. I move my hand to push his head away and cover my dripping core. He looks up at me offended.

"What are you doing?" Ichigo asks.

"It's too… much. I… I can't take… it anymore," I struggle to say.

Pulling me back down to his eager mouth, he glared at me. "You will. You will take everything I give you until I say you've had enough. I told you that you are meant for me which means you can handle whatever I give you." I nibble on my bottom lip again, feeling the jitters of his commands. "Do you understand?"

I nod my head.

"Use your words, Orihime."

"I understand… your Highness," I teased.

"Good, now move your hand so I can take what's mine." As soon as my hand moves, his mouth replaces it driving me up the walls. This time instead of two fingers, he inserts three. His skills drive me wild that my moans are unhinged and loud, but I didn't care. I'm delirious in bliss moving my hips to meet his fingers and revel in his tongue strokes. I grind myself against his face and he growls with pleasure.

I didn't think it was possible to have a third orgasm, but when he rubs circles against my clit and angles his fingers on the pad deep inside me, I freeze. The pressure builds up inside of me and before I know it, I'm gushing so much I coat him. My essence drips down his chin but it doesn't stop him from cleaning me up with his tongue. Over each fold, crevice, and my thighs.

When my body stops shaking, he kisses my inner thighs and moves up my body to capture my lips in a deep kiss. Tasting myself on his lips, I grab his cheeks to devour the flavor some more. Pulling back, he watches me.

"Please don't expect me to always be good, kind, and loving. There will be times when I will be cold, thoughtless, and hard to understand," Ichigo slowly says. "Despite that… I want everything you have. Every tear, painful thought, all the hurt, and everything good. Especially your smile."

~s~

Ichigo

I know doing this would put what my father said to me to the test. Will I only crave her for sexual satisfaction and then kill her or will this develop into something meaningful? Can I put away the madness and give in to the love she can provide for me?

I will never know until I've tried.

Grabbing her ankle, I pull her closer to my awaiting erection. She lets her legs fall open. I tap her sensitive clit with my dick dripping with precum, making her moan.

"What are you going to give me, Orihime?"

"Everything." Her voice is hoarse from screaming my name.

"Good."

I grab one of her thighs to keep her legs open and use my other hand to guide myself inside. I inhale sharply when the tip dips into her warmth. I watch myself disappear inch by inch, stretching her out. Orihime closes her eyes, breathing in deep.

"Relax." I sling her leg over my shoulder, keeping the other in my grasp while I bring the thumb of my free hand to her clit. Rubbing slow circles around it, I feel her relax. I ease into her, relishing in the sensation of her tightly wrapped around me. Holding Orihime's waist, I bury the rest of me in her, stealing her breath. The barrier was broken, and she was still not breathing.

Leaning forward, pressing my chest to hers, I wrap my hand around her throat. I can see the panic in her eyes when she feels my hand on her neck. Doing this may be too soon, but I need her to get her power back. I need her to find pleasure in this feeling instead of fear. I need her to trust me. I speak softly. "Breathe. I will not hurt you. I will never hurt you. Never again. So, breathe for me."

At the same time as she inhales, I thrust my hips forward, fitting snugly in her walls. "That's my girl."

She cries out scratching at my back both to push me away and to hold on. I relish the feel of her nails digging into my skin. Giving her time to adjust, I keep my thrusts slow and deliberate.

Sitting up, I press my palms into the back of her thighs, making her knees touch the futon with her feet resting on my shoulders. "Play with yourself," I command.

Following through, Orihime slides her hand down her body until she reaches her clit, rubbing slow circles that match my thrusts. I suck in a sharp breath watching her fingers play with the engorged nub.

With the sunlight peeking through the fusumas illuminating her body in a goddess-like aura, I couldn't help but admire how beautiful she looked beneath me. The way she's open for me, the bounce of her breasts, and the way the erotic sounds spill from her lips.

"You are meant for me."

Orihime's eyes slide shut soaking in my words. She tried to hide from me by throwing her arm over her eyes, but I didn't want that. Interlacing our fingers, I pulled her arm away from her mesmerizing hazel eyes and placed it above her head in the futon.

"Keep your eyes on me. I want to see you," I say as she opens them. "I want to watch you take it. I want you to see what you do to me." She whimpered in response as I thrust deeper. She mewled tilting her head back exposing her neck and pressing her breast into my chest when she deeply inhaled. I feel her squeeze around me causing me to suck in another breath.

Damn, she feels so good.

Leaning back, I reach for her throat and apply light pressure. She lets out a guttural moan, still playing with herself and focusing on me.

"I'm… I'm…" she pants, "…going to…"

"Don't stop." I hook her legs over my shoulders, gripping her waist, plunging into her hard and deep.

She whimpers holding on like I want. I pick up the pace of my thrusts causing us to slide the futon across the floor. The tension that's been building is strained tightly, ready to snap.

"Fuck… tell me your mine."

"I'm yours!" Orihime lets out a needy moan, coming for me. The continuous clenching around my grith was my undoing. I let out a husky growl, spilling into her. My hips stutter to a slow stop before I collapse on top of her. The hammering of her heart fills my ears as we lay there silently. Her finger trails up my sweaty back and down to my hip while we come down from our euphoric high.

Yes… she's mine and I will keep it that way.

To Be Continued…

Author's Notes:

Thoughts?

Until Next Time!

Happy Holidays Everyone!