…

…

"Ishida," Ichigo growled, fire dancing in his eyes, "Long time, no see." Despite the casual greeting, his hand found the hilt of his sword, the other tightening the grip around Orihime's wrist.

"Kurosaki," the black-haired acknowledged.

Orihime, confused as ever, darted her eyes between them, "Eto…What's going on here?"

The two ignored her. The air was tense now, not the carefree place Orihime had felt just moments before Kurosaki-san arrived. Now, Ishida's eyes were narrowed dangerously and he tightened his grip around his wooden bow and arrow. Orihime darted her eyes down to Ichigo's other hand, where he was touching his sword, thumb popping it from the sheath.

"Don't!" Orihime cried, and before she could help herself, she was already grabbing onto Ichigo's wrist. Kurosaki-san paused and glanced down to glare at her, but their eyes locked and her pink lips parted. His eyes narrowed, heavily gazing at her and she released his hand a second later, trying to ignore the fire of electricity down her arm, "I-I mean…If you fight…"

Still, Ichigo continued to hold her wrist tightly, "Don't get in my way, kitten. You'll end up getting hurt, too."

"B-But—"

"Don't threaten her," Ishida spat, his eyes tightening, "She's not some toy, Kurosaki. Not like your other wenches."

"And what would you know?" Ichigo practically growled, "Don't speak like you know everything, Ishida. It only pisses me off."

"Eto—"

"Well, that makes two of us, now doesn't it?" Ishida countered snidely, "Now, let the Orihime-san go."

"The only way you're going to make me let kitten go is killing me. And we both know you don't have the guts for that."

"I'd kill you in a heartbeat."

"P-Please st—"

"I'd like to see you try."

"Kurosaki," Ishida growled threateningly, "I am not afraid of you."

"Neither am I."

They both glared at each other – Ichigo glowering over his shoulder, fingering his sword, and Ishida's hands tight around his arrow and bow. Orihime stood between the two, wrist ensnared in Ichigo's long fingers. Her instincts were telling her to jerk away and hurry from the room, but she stood still, facing Ichigo's back and awkwardly pressed against him. His scent was enough to make her blush, and she bit her bottom lip, darting her eyes between each man.

"Please don't fight," she cut in softly, but the eyes darted to her. She jolted under their harsh stares, but did not relent her reprimanding, "I-If you fight, you'll hurt each other."

"Don't tell me you're sticking up for this fuckin' guy," Ichigo snapped at her.

"W-Well—"

"Don't yell at her, Kurosaki or your throat will be all over these walls," Indeed, Ishida's arrow was aimed past Orihime's ear and towards Ichigo's neck and collarbone. Orihime squeaked when Ichigo hauled her on the other side of the room, shoving her to the floor. He turned fully, unsheathed his sword, revealing the sleek, black blade.

"Ishida, let's do this." Ichigo grinned manically, "I'm tired of seein' your damned face."

Ishida pulled back his arrow and bow, placing them on the floor. With one movement of his hand, his sword was also pulled out, and presented to the room. Orihime's eyes grew.

Slicing indigo met hard brown.

"W-Wait—"

She was cut off as Ishida lunged and their swords clashed together. Orihime shouted out a warning as they fought and twisted, throwing their steel swords this way and that way. Orihime stood without a second thought and dodged out of the way in time for Ishida's blade to fly over her head.

"Bastard!" Ichigo spat as their swords met again, "You could've taken off her head."

Ishida's eyes tightened, "Why the hell do you care?"

"Kurosaki-san! Ishida-san! Please, stop fighting!" She shouted over their harsh words. Of course, neither listened, which resulted in Ishida tumbling from the home and Ichigo following. Orihime hurried after the two to see Ichigo lunge over Ishida's head. Uryu dodged out of the way in time for the black blade to sink into the earth, and the black-haired stood a moment later.

Without waiting for Orihime to say anything, the two rushed forward and slammed their swords together. Blood spilled as they passed each other, and after a second, Orihime saw Ishida stumble to the floor.

"You really are a sly bastard," Ichigo commented with a wry smirk.

Ishida wiped the blood from his cheek, "Yes. You should know this by now, Kurosaki."

"If you hadn't moved in time, your whole head would be gone," Ichigo retorted, tightening his hands around his sword.

"No. Actually, your moves are too sloppy and open, which are easy for me to follow, imbecile. Anyone could see past that move," The black-haired commented, nudging the glasses up his nose.

"Oh, really?" Ichigo snarled, whirling back around to rush towards the man, "See through this!" They clashed again, and Orihime had a difficult time seeing who the best was; they both seemed to match in strength and agility, yet Ichigo's attacks were more based off of instinct and strength while Ishida was precise and planning with his assaults.

"Stop it!" She shrieked at them, "Someone will get hurt!"

"No shit, kitten," Ichigo tossed over his shoulder. Orihime watched with surprise as Ichigo's sword was knocked from his hand by Ishida. Of course, Ichigo wouldn't go down without a fight. Instead, he smirked and was in the air the next second. His foot met Ishida's jaw with a wet, blunt noise and the black-haired man stumbled before falling onto his back. Ichigo's sword was at his throat the next second.

"It seems," Ichigo's smirk widened, "you need more practice, Ishida."

"Damn you…!" The spectacled man growled.

"Yeah, yeah," Ichigo waved him off, "See you in Hell, bastard." Just as he raised his sword, fully prepared to behead the man, Orihime hopped onto his back and dug her hands into his face.

Ichigo shouted a bit in shock as Orihime grasped his cheeks and tugged with all her might, yelling out, "Noooo~! Don't kill Ishida-san! If you do, the rain will stop and the deserts will get drier and where will the little green men sleep if the camels all die!? Kurosaki-saaan~! Think of the little green men!"

"Dammit, woman!" Ichigo shouted, stumbling around before he regained his footing. Somehow, the sword had slipped from his hand and Orihime dug her feet into his waist. Growling in irritation, Ichigo pried the woman from his back, only for Orihime to retaliate with a swift kick to the shin with her bare foot. Ichigo cursed as he staggered to the ground, somehow wrestling her underneath his long, strong body.

When he finally was able to pin her hands to the ground, she realized how close he was, "Don't move!" He hissed into her face and she gasped sharply as his scent overrode her senses. His presence was overwhelming, and his intense, amber eyes locked with hers. Instantly, the world and problems seemed to fall away as Orihime paused from her struggling and wiggling.

"K-Kurosaki-san…"

"Don't move," he repeated, his voice a tad bit darker. Orihime obeyed, completely still as he stared at her face, dragging his eyes roughly from her cheeks, to her eyes, hair, and then lips. She licked them nervously, and he seemed to follow the movement. Her heart paused and then continued in a wild beat against her chest.

Just then – and she was slightly grateful – something hit Ichigo in the back of the head. There was a hard thump and Ichigo hollered in surprise and pain as he flew back from Orihime. The redhead gasped when she saw Ishida over her, dark blue eyes checking for any injury.

She ignored him thoroughly, pushing to her feet to rush over to Ichigo. He was lying on his stomach just a few inches away, but completely unconscious. Orihime instantly fretted over her companion, trying to ignore the heat in her cheeks, "K-Kurosaki-san? Kurosaki-san! Please get a hold of yourself!"

Ishida dropped the stone he'd used to bestow upon Ichigo and cupped a hand over his bleeding cheek, "That's peculiar. Usually, it takes a while for that idiot to go down."

"Eh?" Orihime glanced at him the back to Ichigo, frowning softly, "He must be exhausted…" With careful fingers, she pushed back his heavy locks and found his surprisingly handsome, relaxed face. A strange sensation pulsed through her, and she suddenly wished to touch his cheek, follow the curves of his face, if only for a bit. But the sharp sound of metal behind her made her pause. Turning her head, she was able to see Ishida-san pull his own sword from the ground and move towards Kurosaki-san.

Orihime was defending the unconscious man the next second, "What're you doing?" She questioned, and Ishida frowned, surprised and confused.

"I'm putting him out of his misery, Orihime-san. He's the lowest scum, he deserves to die." He took a step forward only for Orihime to glare at him sharply.

"Don't touch him, Ishida-san," she warned softly.

He crooked a brow, "Look, Orihime-san, I am not the bad person here. I understand if you have had a relationship with hi—"

"That's not it!" She replied heatedly, "He's my friend and I will not allow you to hurt him."

They stared at each other for a few moments, the silence and tense air of the night causing Orihime to be on the edge. Gently, a breeze knocked through, levitating her hair in the air and Ishida to readjust his glasses.

"I cannot stand the sight of him," He turned away, "I will not kill him tonight, but if he does something wrong in my eyes, I will have to slit open his throat." He sheathed his sword slowly, and she watched him walk back towards his home. When the door slid shut, Orihime returned her attention to Ichigo, who lay sprawled beneath her.

"Gomennasai, Kurosaki-san," She said softly, "I think Ishida-san is very angry with you," she heard a vague snore come slide from his mouth. Her eyebrows crinkled before she beamed brightly, "You must be really tired. Were you searching for me?"

He continued to snore softly, eyes closed, and body limp.

"Well, I'll protect you, too, Kurosaki-san! And if you get lost, I'll go find you. Hehe…but you're really tall, so it wouldn't be a problem…" She frowned shortly, curiously, "I should get you out of the dirt."

…

…

Large eyes blinked.

Sora continued to smile gently.

"Are you sure, Onii-chan?"

"I wouldn't be asking this of you if I wasn't."

…

…

"Please…" Orihime bowed, her hair falling over her shoulders and onto the wooden ground. "I'm begging you, Ishida-san."

The man's hands clenched into tight fists as he stared hard at the young woman, "Lady Orihime—"

"Please," she repeated, rising a bit to stare him in the eyes with her amber, hazel gaze. "I-If you do, I promise I won't let him harm you."

His eyes narrowed, "You cannot keep that promise. Kurosaki is unpredictable and rash. I do not even want him around you. He was practically harassing you a few hours ago."

Orihime blinked, sitting up. Quickly, she recalled the moment she'd locked eyes with Kurosaki-san, and she'd felt the familiar heat in her belly. Blushing under her pale skin, she twisted her small fingers into her pink kimono. "U-Um…"

"From what I heard, you do not have relations with him, Orihime-san. I do not understand what the problem is. Look," he stared into her eyes, surprising her, "you can stay here with me, Orihime-san. If only for a while, and to make you feel safer. Kurosaki will be far from here and I'll—"

"No…"

"Pardon?"

"No!" She shouted. He flinched back, stunned. "I-I don't want that," She murmured, lowering her tone, "Kurosaki-san is a very good friend to me already, and…and I do not want him alone."

He blinked at her. "You are serious?"

"Un." She nodded vigorously. "Just for one night and Kurosaki-san and I will be out of your home. Promise!" She bowed again, her hair sweeping against the floor once more.

After a moment of stiff silence, he heaved a sigh and raked a hand through his hair. "Orihime-san, I have not known you for the longest, and I don't usually trust people, but…" She hesitantly lifted her head and met his gaze again. Softly, rigidly, he smirked, "Just for one night."

Quickly, she was on her knees, squealing happily, clapping her small hands together.

"Yet," she paused, blinking, "I do not wish to see his face for the whole night, and I expect him to be gone by morning."

Orihime licked her lips nervously before nodding, "H-Hai! I promise, Ishida-san." When he glanced away from her, and slid his eyes closed, she decided it was time for her to leave him alone. Standing clumsily, she ventured away from the room and into the back. Sliding the door open, she found the dark, small room and closed the door after her.

There lied Kurosaki-san, covers draped over his legs, and snoring quietly.

"I don't understand, Kurosaki-san," she murmured into the dark, "Ishida-san is very kind."

…

…

Thump!

Orihime's head snapped up and she blinked rapidly when the sunlight beamed into her eyes.

"A-Ah…" She had fallen asleep, typical. Sitting up, she rubbed her slightly aching head. She quickly realized she was resting on the steps of the home, her slender body able to fit onto the wood. She had no idea how she'd fallen asleep during the entire ordeal, but she did.

She was thinking. When she'd left Kurosaki-san to sleep, she had slipped outside, settled onto the steps, and stared up at the moon, so big and full. She began to think of her brother – lost in the stars like a supernova. She was homesick – and she hadn't even realized it – she missed Tatsuki-san, her mother, her father, and even the empty hallways of the castle. And with the problems stacking on her shoulders, she began to mull over the idea of venturing Far East, just to find this one man. And Kurosaki-san, she might've been wasting his time, perhaps hers. She wanted to help these towns, these people, but the only way she could do that was going back to the palace and resolving her difficulties – which included marrying Ulquiorra-sama and allowing her freedom to be thrown to the floor.

Blinking from her thoughts, she heard the heavy footsteps. Turning her head slowly, she was surprised to see Kurosaki-san standing in the doorway, dressed in his black kimono, and the sleek sword in his hand.

"Kurosaki-san!" She rejoiced, "You're awake."

He casted her a look and the scowl on his face deepened. "We're leaving." With that, he leaned down and caught her wrist. She gasped at the sensation pooling where he touched, but she was hauled to her feet the next second and pulled from the porch.

"B-But, Kurosaki-san—"

"If you get in my way again," he muttered forcibly, "I'll tie you up, got it?"

Her face erupted into pink, "Y-You can't do that!"

"I can and I will, kitten," he nearly growled, "I ain't into hurting women, but it's your own damned fault if you're injured."

"You shouldn't fight," she yanked her wrist from his hold with surprising strength and he jerked to a stop, "Ishida-san is my fri—"

"He's a killer, just like me, kitten,"

Her lips trembled at the word, "You're not a killer…" She trailed her own self off.

Yes.

Kurosaki-san was a killer. He was reckless and impulsive, but he also held the careless grace of a panther and his eyes always held a wicked spark of blood and strength. He stared down at her through the thick strands of orange, his chocolate brown gaze scorching its way through her.

Even if she did not know him, and even though the attraction – this weird sensation between them that wouldn't go away – was strong, she still knew Kurosaki-san wasn't that type of person, he wasn't, he wasn't, he was not—

A hand clamped around hers hard. She gasped sharply, reeling back slightly at the bolts of electricity. She hadn't even noticed she'd been reaching towards him, and now her palm was being crushed by his large fingers.

"Don't touch me," he murmured and she tried not to flinch at the tone. Quickly, he dropped her hand, as though her flesh had burned his, and sheathed his sword. "Don't get attached to me, kitten. I'll help you cross this journey, but I won't stick around. Don't expect anything more from me."

She lowered her eyes to the floor and tried not to pay attention to her heart sinking slowly, "H-Hai…" She heard him turn away, but she also heard the familiar sound of a bow being readied. Gasping, she lifted her head to see Ishida-san pointing a bow directly to Ichigo's head. Kurosaki-san was frozen, but his hand remained on his sword.

"Ishida-san!" She reprimanded sharply.

"You said he would be gone by morning, Orihime-san. I did not want to see his face." Uryu replied bluntly, keeping eye contact with the orange-haired.

Ichigo sneered, "I should be sayin' the same thing."

Ishida's eyes narrowed, Ichigo pulled out his blade by an inch.

Quickly, Orihime ran in between the two, glancing at them both, "You will not fight each other!"

"Move, kitten,"

"Orihime-san…"

"No! Stop it!" She ordered, stomping her small foot for emphasis, "If you want to hurt, Kurosaki-san, then you'll have to hurt me also."

There was silence for one heartbeat, two, three.

Slowly, the bow and arrow was pulled down to his side, "Please leave off of my land, then, Orihime-san. I am very sorry to put this burden on you."

"It's…alright."

…

…

She did not have many things, and she'd been at the large palace for almost her entire life. She was practically born into being a maid and servant for her Kingdom. Sighing heavily, she wrapped up the cloth, forcing her little clothes together and heaved it up to her side.

"Orihime…" She murmured to herself, eyes tightening as her gaze went to the window.

With a heavy heart, Arisawa Tatsuki left the village, and the Kingdom, behind.

…

…

Achoo!

His eyebrow twitched.

"Ah…" She breathed out from behind him, "Someone must be talking about me."

Of course, his stupid mouth had to open and reply. "Idiot. Who would talk about you?"

He could imagine her blinking those long lashes and then the pout that would grace her pink, plush lips. The wind knocked softly through the air, and he could vaguely smell her scent. He began to realize this all too soon; he was too used to her now, too used to her long hair that would whip with the wind, and her large honey eyes that would stare up at him, and the fine lips that would whisper, Kurosaki-san, until he'd have to tell her to shut up.

She's dangerous to be around.

Kurosaki Ichigo was irritated. He did not like women. He fucked them and then left, whenever he had time to get in a good lay. Usually, the women these days were prepared to throw themselves at you, and Ichigo had no problem taking advantage of that.

But with her…

"Gomen ne, Kurosaki-san,"

He continued to walk, because if he glanced behind him, and he saw her, he would say something he should not. It was just attraction, he was sure. There was nothing deeper, there would never be anything deeper than attraction to her gorgeous looks.

"If I did not meet Ishida-san, you wouldn't have gotten hurt the yesterday," she muttered, and he could imagine her glancing at the ground shamefully, like a child.

He walked faster.

There is nothing there.

There is nothing there.

There is nothing there.

"A-Ah! Kurosaki-san! Why're you walking so fast, ne?" She called behind him. She sound oddly farther away than usual.

"Help, Onii-chan, help!"

"Ichi-nii!"

Fuck.

"Kuro — eep! Oww…"

Without his consent, his head snapped backwards and found the girl on the ground, heavy hair around her pretty face, and her eyes rounded, as though she couldn't believe she'd fallen.

"Shit," he cursed lowly, breaking himself from his disgusting thoughts. He turned and walked back towards her. Stooping down, he lifted her upper body from the ground and tried to ignore the feeling of her soft skin in his hands – even though it was through her clothing. "The hell is wrong with you? Don't fuckin' run."

She looked up at him, wide eyes teary, "Kurosaki-san…"

Annoying.

But his heart and body were some idiots.

Sighing, he placed his hands under her armpits and pulled her to her knees. Her legs spread under her in a W-shape. Grasping her right arm, he didn't see her wince or pull away, so he placed a hand on the top of her head and then let her go completely, "You're not hurt, so stop being a baby."

"H-Hai…I don't mean to be a burden."

"Shut up. You really are a cat."

She blinked up at him, "Is this why you call me kitten?"

He snorted vaguely, "Kinda."

Her lower lip jutted out and he tried to stop himself from staring, "How?"

"Your eyes are really big," he stated and her nose wrinkled cutely, "And you're small, with bright hair, and you try to act like a tiger, even though you're scared and a big fuckin' baby."

She pouted again, "I-I…am not!"

"Shut up," he stood while she stared up at him. The wind blew again and Orihime lifted a hand to keep the bangs from her face. She squinted through the thick tresses, but gave no fight. "Oi," Ichigo called shortly and she glanced back up at him, innocent curiosity written across her face.

His eyes narrowed.

"Don't run off like that again, kitten."

She blinked, taken aback.

"I'm serious."

"Are you mad about Ishida-san?" She asked softly, curiously.

He scoffed, "Tch. I've hated that prick since the day I met him." Leaning down, he grasped her soft jaw in his hand. She gasped sharply at the contact as he peered at her, "Don't leave my side without my permission, kitten. Don't until we finish this bullshit trip, got it?"

With dazed, large eyes, she nodded, "Hai, Kurosaki-san…"

Standing, he released her quickly and averted his gaze. "We should head out of the village. I'm still itching from staying in Ishida's house too long," his hand went to his sword, "And I still wanna kill that bastard."

Orihime rose to her feet, "Then we should head along~!" She spread her arms out, as though she were flying, and the air whipped through her locks, causing them to blow behind her shapely form as she ran ahead of him, "Come, Kurosaki-san~!"

"Tch," but he followed.

Geez.

Fuckin' annoying.

But…

The sun beamed, but not as bright as her permanent smile.

Ichigo sighed deeply, lashes lowering, watching her sing his name and giggle like a child. His bangs brushed his forehead and eyes, brows furrowed as a small, arrogantly pleased smile lifted his lips.

Tch.

"Don't run, idiot,"

…

…

Finished another chapter! Shaboom! Anyways, as I promised, more Ichihime and, yes, this is still just the BEGINNING! BTW, Ishida-kun WILL be back, probably sooner than later, I just wanted Orihime and Ichigo to set out on their adventure, alone, before Ishida and the rest of the gang joined them, and we all know how wild they can get.

There is still the whole problem with Orihime being a ruler of her country, getting married to Ulquiorra, and Ichigo's past, so I have a lot of things to cover. I want my readers to be surprised though! Banzai~! Now, with Ichi, you can see he is attracted to Orihime and a tad bit protective already, but no one's in love yet, at least, not to me.

Please, review. It makes me want to dance.

-Star