I Can't Get Enough of You Baby [Active, Open]

[leekspin]

Who: Orihime, Leechigo, OPEN!
Where: Dirt Hallway, then the library, AND BEYOND (just pick a room and put it in the subject line, and that's where she will conveniently wander)
When: Day 004
What: Orihime awakens, free of the laboratory...or so she thinks. A horrible creature is bound to her, that seems to be Ichigo to Orihime's eyes. To everyone

Comments

[allthekeys]

Though Orihime wouldn't see it, the being that wore Ichigo's face seemed to glow with the light of her magic for a moment, eyes cracked open to study the girl. Affection permeated the connection as the creature let its illusion be repaired and slowly pushed himself up."

"Thank you, Inoue." It had tasted her magic before, but not in such a pure form. She was even more exciting than its masters had allowed her to seem. "Where are we? Did they knock us out again?"

[allthekeys]

"So...she might have written more? Did she say who 'him' was?" He frowned, following her and letting her keep his hand tightly in her's. "I wonder why she would hide it. The notes seem to be scattered about for anyone to find. Hiding something is something someone does when they're afraid it might be taken."

In truth, the monster didn't want to let her go any more than she wanted to let him go. He liked holding hands. It was a strange activity, but an enjoyable one. Her hand was warm and solid.

"Did you hide it again?"

[leekspin]

"Of course!" Orihime answered, following the wall. It would be nice if they could pick up any of the others who had been held captive, but the only person's soul she could feel down here was Ichigo's. And as there seemed to be a faint echo of that feeling much further away, she couldn't really be sure her powers were working the way they were supposed to. "She must have hidden it for a good reason, probably like what you said. Or maybe she meant it to serve as a guide or a warning for those who might come after."

As for who the mysterious 'him' was... "I think it was someone she loved," she replied, her voice hushed once again. "It didn't say for sure, but she was very attached to somebody. They may have even had kids while they were trapped here."

Which was worrisome in its own way. Orihime never imagined she'd be stuck inside this house for the long term. A few months at most, perhaps, but for years? It was a chilling thought, once that caused her to draw a little closer to Ichigo's side.

[allthekeys]

"Or maybe she just didn't want people to read her diary." He squinted in the darkness. "I wish they'd dropped us back where they took us from. Or at least left a flashlight."

He blinked. "This seems like a terrible place to even...consider kids. What makes you think they did?"

The monster smiled as she drew closer, tightening their joined hands gently to offer her some reassurance.

She was pretty, and nice, and had a head all full of romantic notions. It had hated the binding its masters had put on it at first, but now it liked it. Liked her. She was pretty. Could he keep her?

"It'll be fine, Inoue, we'll make it home."

[leekspin]

"Well, there were photographs...but it's possible that maybe they just sort of 'adopted' any kids that showed up here, too." Orihime had yet to meet any children in the house, but she'd heard that there were those present who were a lot younger than she was.

She laughed at the wish for a flashlight. That sounded like the dry and practical request Ichigo would make! Her expression softened as he gripped her hand and gave his assurances. Coming from him, she believed she really could be happy even in a place like this if he was there beside her like he was now.

But she couldn't be that selfish.

"I hope we don't have to. I know how much you love your family, Kurosaki-kun." She smiled down at the floor as they walked. "I'll do everything I can to get you back to them."

[allthekeys]

"Photographs? I wonder if someone has a camera in the house." He frowned, thoughtful. "I can't imagine trying to have a baby with everything going on."

He flushed, giving her hand another tiny squeeze. "I meant that we'd make it back, Inoue. But if we can't..." There was a conflicted burst of emotions from the other end of the connection, affection and protectiveness.

[leekspin]

If they couldn't, then...what...?

She didn't want to assume, and she certainly didn't mean to, but it was hard not to imagine that he was considering the possibility of calling this place home with her, that she might be made a part of his family. Thank goodness the cord only conveyed emotions and not thoughts, or she might have perished from embarrassment right on the spot.

But no. Reality and self-consciousness told her that he probably just meant that he would protect her and keep her safe, if things got bad. Or if they got worse, rather.

"Y...yes..." she smiled, cheeks flushed. "We'll look after each other."

[allthekeys]

The darkness of the hall hid the fact that they both were blushing. There was that to be thankful for at least.

"Yeah. I'll keep you safe, Inoue."

The monster wouldn't mind calling her his at all, the little ways she was reacting to the illusion were strange. As though the gruffness of his current mask only encouraged her to reach for more. It could echo her thoughts, her feelings about the boy, her own quiet, private thoughts.

Yes, it could make a home here, with her. She could belong to him. Not that silly boy who didn't see her for the beautiful creature she was.

[leekspin]

Orihime fell quiet, her shoulders hitched slightly as she beamed. Even though she knew how powerless they both were against the creatures that had abducted them, his promise still made her feel safe, and warm all over. The affection that leaked through the cords only amplified her feelings of happiness. She could almost believe that he wanted to deepen their relationship beyond being friends. At the very least, she could hope for something that wonderful

[allthekeys]

The light trickling through the doorway made the monster squint; he raised his free hand to shield his eyes as they stepped into the main basement. Even so, their link echoed happiness and excitement back to her; he wasn't usually allowed into the light like this. The daytime, until now, had been forbidden. But with Orihime at his side, he could stand in the sun too, just like a real human could. He could stand where that silly, stupid boy would be scrambling to be, if he had any brains in his head at all. They could be together forever, and make each other happy.

Even if Ichigo came to realize his mistake, it was too late, now. Orihime was his. She loved him. And he would make sure that she had good reason to continue to. She would want to be his just as much as he wanted to keep her; he would take care of her. He would give her everything she wanted.

As starved as he was, food sounded good--but what he hungered for certainly couldn't be found in the kitchen. He would eat with her, of course, but what he really wanted..... That

[leekspin]

Orihime laughed, and nodded in prompt agreement. "Good point! Yosh, to the showers!" Still holding his hand, she charged boldly up the steps and into the mansion proper.

If she ran, maybe she'd outdistance the redness in her face at the thought of being in the same room as Ichigo while he was washing up. Naturally she wouldn't look, absolutely not! But just knowing that she'd be so close to him was enough to double up her heartbeat.

After raiding the closets for a fresh change of clothes (that she hoped didn't belong to anybody), Orihime turned to face her companion, hugging her bundle. "So, er...do you want to go first?"

[allthekeys]

A brief spark of surprise ran through the bond, but Ichigo was tightening his hand in hers and racing along beside her moments later, not quite able to hold back his smile. A wave of pleasure and warmth chased after them, energy and spirits rising as they burst past that final barrier and embraced their freedom.

The monster watched as she dug through the closet, expression a little skeptical as the only thing that turned up was uniforms. There were two kinds of clothing, and the one with the apron and skirt..... the maid outfits didn't look at all like they would fit him, especially in the chest--which was admittedly the only way he knew he wasn't supposed to choose them. He rummaged through as well, picking a butler's uniform that looked like it would fit, and looked away in apparent embarrassment at the suggestion. "You can go first, if you want..... I'll watch the door for you, Inoue."

[leekspin]

"Oh! Thank you!" She hugged her black dress and apron to her chest, beaming. It made her wish she were bolder. If she had the courage, she would have darted in to kiss his cheek in gratitude. But...not yet. Not quite yet. Orihime was starting to feel a little more secure in her feelings after picking up the warm affection he radiated through their bonds, but she really, really, did not want to screw this up by appearing too forward. Besides, considering their situation right this moment, both of them were probably too nervous to risk any sort of intimacy, no matter how slight

[allthekeys]

Ichigo smiled and turned his back, a firm barrier standing between her and the door; so long as he was there, nobody would get in. Nobody would even get a glimpse of her. As well they shouldn't--she was his now, and his alone. He would stand guard over her, and his would be the only eyes laid on her.

He didn't need to be facing the shower, after all, to discreetly watch her undress through the mirror. He didn't need to be turned that way to admire each sleek curve that was revealed, to track the glistening beads of water running down her body, to appreciate the lush beauty that he had been given.

Thinking about it reminded him how hungry he was; he did the best he could to put the thought aside. He would eat eventually, but later, later.....

[leekspin]

The trills of hunger reminded Orihime that she shouldn't dawdle too long. As nice as it was, she didn't want to keep Ichigo waiting, uncomfortable and starving. So she soaped up her hair and body, rinsing herself off with haste, and turned off the water. After wringing out her hair, she toweled herself off and pulled the dress over her head. The skirt was fluffed, though she realized if they were too far apart, the cord would pull taut and expose her hip.

Well. She didn't really mind being close to Ichigo. That would never be a problem for her.

"Finished! I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long," she grinned sheepishly, holding her hands in front of her. Her long hair was still wet, and plastered damply to her back, but there was little she could do about that. Seeing no combs or brushes, she figured she'd just do it herself with her fingers while waiting for Ichigo to clean up.

[allthekeys]

"Of course not. You look good, Inoue." Ichigo smiled reassuringly at Orihime, stepping away from the door and towards the shower as he reached for the hem of his shirt; no doubt she could feel the flash of admiration through their bond