Bleach: Orihime's Gambit

Chapter 4: A Belated Reunion

oOo

The disused circus grounds on the west side of town would host this next "challenge", though it would equally be luck as well as talent. The circus had to shut down after an unfortunate incident with "Magnum, The Cialis Elephant", so-named because of his high testosterone levels. One of his trainers was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The negative publicity, as well as lawsuits from local schools visiting that weekend, forced the circus to close. However, they simply locked the venue and abandoned much of their equipment that had no use elsewhere.

Conveniently enough however, the city zoo was next door, so the animals were easily moved over. Fortunately for Magnum, instead of being put down, he was also transferred and seemed to be doing well.

Orihime had done some research on the equipment left over, and came up with the next challenge. The oversized cannon, used with "human cannonballs", was still here, as well as netting for the trapeze artists. The contestants and film crew arrived just before mid-day to begin this set-up. Since this show seemed on-track to be uber-successful, Dixon had purchased extra air time and aired the first trailer for Episode 4 that morning, showing Orihime's initial meeting with the new contestants, and announcement that the next challenge would be circus-related.

All four contestants, with some trepidation, donned their wingsuits for this "cannon-diving", a combination of the cannon and skydiving. Orihime briefed them: "For this game, you'll be launched from this cannon and control yourselves mid-flight to achieve the best air time and technique. The netting is along your path for 600 yards, so you won't be in danger of missing it. May the best man win." Orihime didn't think it would be too dangerous, not that she would mourn any of these new guys if they did get hurt, or worse.

This challenge would be the most fun to capture on film, though adding innuendo would be tricker. The editing team would just have to see if they got lucky. Jared Fogle went first, and tying Ron DeSantis as the youngest contestant but being lighter, got the best airtime at over 500 yards. The few moments he was in the air seemed to last far longer to those on the ground, though he apparently handled it quite well. The editing team laid metal music over his flight, and his facecam captured his adrenaline-fueled shouts. They also added these details to spice up the other flights.

A golf cart brought him back to the starting point, and he hammed it up for the camera. "Hey, compared to where I was before coming here, that wasn't so bad. Hey Orihime, how about you just call me the winner? I don't think we need to wait any longer."

"We still have three to go", she replied, while also thinking, "Just like you don't like waiting for a girl's 18th birthday, or the birthdays before it. I hope this prize money really will be worth it, even if I have to go on a 'date' with one of you."

Ron DeSantis was up next. He didn't go quite as far, reaching 400 yards but maintaining decent form. His attitude mid-flight was more reserved, though still relished how cool he looked. "I'd like to see... HIM... try something like this", he gloated to himself. He came back to the starting area and further gloated, "Looks like I'm still in the running, in more ways than one. Don't pat yourself on the back yet, Jared."

Prince Andrew impetuously entered the cannon, bragging about how his service in the Falklands War made this look like "child's play". Orihime cringed at the comparison, given who was talking.

Being old as he was, he fumbled his form and landed barely over the 200-yard line. Given his age he was lucky to exit the cannon in one piece. He returned to the starting area, quite angry that he did so poorly. "Well I'll be buggered... Surely I should have went farther than that!" He sulked for the rest of the challenge and didn't talk to others. Orihime was glad that at least Ron was beating him.

Last was Sean Combs. He was arrogant and more concerned with trying to flirt with (a disgusted) Orihime than make sure he had put on his wingsuit correctly, or stay mentally focused. He was already choreographing her moves in his next dance video. He climbed into the cannon breach, and went flying like the others. However, he went badly off-course and into the zoo. The contestants could only watch and assume he had landed on pavement; Sean might have preferred this.

Over at the zoo, the staff responded to a disturbance in Magnus' enclosure. Once they entered, they found that Magnus himself was fine, though his surprise visitor wasn't. Magnus had instinctively given in to old habits, and as a result, zoo staff weren't able to save Sean Combs from what could only be described as "Satan's prostate exam". He did not survive.

The zoo staff came to the site of the cannon to inform them of what happened. One of the camera crew had a visceral reaction, "Oh my god, that's terrible, it's horrible!... Is there any footage or pictures?"

"No, we could barely stomach looking at the scene. You know when you microwave a hotdog for a super long time, and one end explodes and flays out?"

"Yeah?"

"...kind of like that. It was pretty brutal. Welp, that's it, have a good day."

The editing team could definitely use this surprise material. They then broke for lunch. Meanwhile, Shirahime and the others had been looking for Orihime for some days. They had run into dead ends, gotten the run-around, or showed up to a filming location only for no one to have any useful information. A stroke of luck finally came that morning, when they saw the trailer for the episode that would be filming *that day*.

Shirahime shouted out to the others in their hotel room, "Guys! They're at the old circus on the west side of town! Right now! We need to get over there while they're still filming!" They got in their rental and sped as fast as they could, especially considering who the contestants were.

Orihime was having her favorite: red bean paste, onions, sardines and butter. She was nonplussed about Sean Combs' fate, and was planning on enduring small talk from the others. At least Ron DeSantis, the best choice, had done well today. She would also need to brainstorm the next challenge-

"Orihime! There you are! Oh gods, why haven't you been answering, we've been looking for you." Shirahime ran up to her with Aizen and Ichigo in tow.

Orihime was surprised to see Shirahime here, let alone her seeming so concerned. "Oh well, hey there. I started my own game show idea. I think it's doing quite well. I'll be able to pay you back the money I borrowed." The contestants came over and observed this exchange.

"It's not about the money. This is dangerous! AND YOU'RE SIXTEEN! Why in the hell did they let you on?!" Ron DeSantis was shocked and speechless. This could ruin him. He also began to suspect *who* exactly gave him the money to bid on this show. A creeping realization: could it have been... HIM?! But how did he know...? Ron sat in a stupor for a few moments, but then decided on a course of action. If he was quick about it, and found a way to strike first, he could still reverse the situation.

To say that the other two contestants were not bothered would be an understatement. Jared Fogle swaggered up and said confidently, "Well, where I come from, 16 *is* the age of consent."

"Woo-hoo, me too!", Prince Andrew said.

Shirahime was floored that her statement didn't immediately shut things down. "We're in FLORIDA, you idiots! It's 18 here, and you, Andy, you're still old enough to be her grandfather."

"I'm surprised you even have laws down here, from what I've heard", Jared said. He then noticed the shirt that Shirahime was wearing. She had taken up a pet cause to raise awareness over a historical event that happened during the Second World War, which had been unfortunately overshadowed by events in Europe at the time. It also didn't involve allied troops, such as the Bataan Death March, so it had been forgotten. Her shirt read, "Ask Me about Japanese Comfort Women", which referenced women and girls taken as sex slaves by the Japanese, whether they be civilians, allied nurses, or just whoever.

Jared Fogle had an inkling about this event, but didn't feel remorse. He instead lit up at "comfort" and "women", both terms being used loosely. "Hey that reminds me, when this is over, I think I'll visit the Philippines again. You want to come with me, Orihime? I always have fun there myself."

Orihime answered, "That's a hard pass for me. I think I'll just be ready to head home", she said, while also thinking, "And god-knows-what you want to do there."

Shirahime then resumed. "Look, we even have Ichigo here. Let's just forget about the money and get out of here. Any contract they had you sign can't be enforceable."

Prince Andrew took umbrage. "I think your friend is old enough to decide for herself. Maybe you should mind your business."

The things Shirahime felt like doing would probably result in jail time, so she had to grit her teeth. Orihime followed up, and tried to assuage her concerns, "Look, we don't spend the night in the same room, I have my own place here. They haven't done anything. I only really 'have' to go on a date with whoever wins. Then they'll pay me my cut and that'll be the end of it."

"Who's in charge? I'm going to tell him where to SHOVE this TV show of his!"

One of the film crew spoke up. "Oh Dixon? Yeah, this is all his operation. We don't really know anything like how old the girl is, he just tells us where and when. He's back at the studio though I don't think he's in today." Whether or not the film crew knew, or suspected, Orihime's age was irrelevant. Upon hearing the bombshell from Shirahime, they would be more than willing to throw him under the bus while still being paid. To this end, they could also use the surprise visit from Shirahime, though after editing out the "sixteen" part.

"Well I'm going to go there and give him something to cry about!" She gave Orihime the hotel address and reiterated that Ichigo would be there. She had no choice but to leave for the moment, and she would certainly give this "Dixon" a visit.

The team and contestants wrapped, and went back to the studio to debrief before quitting for the day. Ron DeSantis wasn't here, however. Did he just quit? The editing team finished Episode 4. In the morning, the remaining three, or at least two, would engage in what might be the final challenge. That was the plan, anyway. Orihime would have to see.