"Okay Orihime, show us your inner goddess! Be Aphrodite!" The photographer shouted, lifting his camera to capture her expression.

There she sat, a top the white cloth covered pedastal. Her legs drawn up to her chest. Her head rested on her knees as he fiery tresses fell along her. Her slender ankles were crossed and her arms wrapped lankly around her calves.

She was beauty incarnate. Her features perfect, small nose, rose petal lips, beautiful gray eyes. The silk white dress she wore clung lovingly to her supple body. She had dangerous curves, her cleavage not too much nor too little. Just right. Perfect.

Off his camera went, snapping pictures as she began to shift her position. Her eyes drifted open and one leg slide off the pedestal. Her arms were baced behind her as she lifted her head up to the ceiling. Like a goddes being awoken from a deep slumber she raised her arms above her head and opened her mouth slightly in a small yawn. As if she had really been sleeping. Heh no way someone as successful in the fashion industry like Orihime Inoue
could fall asleep on the jo-

"Oh, am I still at the shoot?" She exclaimed peering around the set. The photographers head fell. She really did go to sleep!

"Ah I'm sorry! I was just so tired, I had to work several different sets today in three different cities. I hope I didn't mess anything up." She laughed stratching her head.

"It's okay Ms. Inoue. I did get some really good shots." He assured, packing up his stuff, this girl was truly something. "Would you like a ride home?"

"Oh, no. I have to do some stuff before I leave. Thank you for asking though." She sounded completely sincere. It was wierd since all he was used to was sarcasm.

The man looked uncertain. "Are you sure? Atleast allow me to call your friends."

Orihime shook her head, if he called them they would come rushing over. She didn't want to be a burden.

"It's okay, I don't live very far." She smiled.

"If you're sure Ms. Inoue."

"I'll go change. Good night Mr. Photographer. And call me Orihime."

"Szayel, Good night Orihime." The strangely attractive pink haired man left waved and left. Orihime returned the gesturing and proceded to the dressing room. It was cold and this thing was paper thin! Sneezing she finally pulled on her jeans and sneakers. Rubbing her nose she resolved to hunt down some cold medicine once she got home. It's bad ettiquette for a model to get sick. She left the building around eleven. Since she wouldn't have enough time to do her homework at home she decided to finish it up there. A slow smile found it's way onto her face, she couldn't believe she would be graduating in a week a second time.

She had so many memories from Tokyo U as well at Karakura High. She, the ditzy Orihime Inoue, was graduating from college at the whooping age of 19. She had graduated from high school two years before she actually needed to. She had wanted her brother to be proud of her. But she never cut contact from her friends. They had been the main support in her quest. While there she had completed about six years worth of degrees in various things because they were rooting for her. Confidence truly was the key (studying during the summer and taking extra classes sure helped her out).

Philosophy, psychology, political science, business, and several different languages and dialects. She was pretty accomplished. And on top of that she was an aspiring model. She herself couldn't say she saw this version of the furture for herself. But if anything she was proud of herself, she had wanted something and she reached out with her own hands and took it. As she thought this over she stifled a yawn, she was really tired.

She walked awhile in silence until she heard the echo or footsteos behind her. She paused and glanced behind her, unsure she called out behind her and was startled when she saw a hooded figure making it's way toward her. She felt her heart thump against her chest and quickly turned around. Orihime continued to walk, not wanting to provoke them she kept her pace even. Even steven is what she always said. That was until she heard several more footsteps joining the first. Then the sound of metal dragging across the concrete. Against her better judgement once again she looked behind her. The shadowy figures had multiplied. The pressure was killing her, she broke out into a quick sprint. Why oh, why hadn't she taken Szayel up on his offer? Oh that's right, she didn't want to be a burden. Orihime had a sudden aphiffany, she didn't want to be dead either!

She couldn't hear anything but the blood rushing past her ears. She turned a corner and bumped into someone.

"Oh, sorry!" She said casting a nervous glance behind her, those thugs had stopped a distance and dissappeared. She really needed to get home but she didn't want them to know her address either. Biting her lips she decided to go back the way she came, maybe they would follow her and she could do something.

"Woman, is there a reason you're holding me?" A cool monotone voice inquired. It seemed generally interested. She jumped, Orihime had forgotten she wasn't alone.

"Oh, sorry!"

"Didn't you already say that?" Like before, simple curosity.

"I'm sorry but I have to go." She said jetting back around the corner, halfway back to the studio she realized the man she had run into was startlingly beautiful. Almost feminine. Faintly Orihime wondered if she had gotten the gender wrong. She had with Yumichika. But that one wasn't her fault, he kinda had a high pitched voice and acted really-

"Well, well, well. Look who we have here." A voice chuckled, dragging Orihime out of her musings. The thugs from before, she tightened her grip on her hand bag.

"Isn't she pretty?" Another commented.

"And look at those tits."

"What are you? A D or Z?"

Orihime srunched up her face, she was a perky C but like hell she was gonna tell them about it.

"Why don't you stay her and keep us company-hey!" He shouted as she turned her heel and ran. She jumped over benches and vaulted over walls until she was met with a dead end.

"Damn, she's a fast little minx." One panted, hunched over. If they were tired from such a little run then they really needed to excerise.

"No matter, she has no where to run. We got her cornered. The bitch is ours." Chaser numero uno said.

"Don't come any closer, I don't want to hurt you." She warned taking a step back. She really didn't, she didn't have enough energy to deal with harrassers.

The men paused and shared a confused look. Then they grinned.

"Isn't that sweet? She's warning us about getting hurt." Laughter.

"Usually the only thing we hear from them are whimpers and pleas. Listening to such bravery is actually quite a turn on." One of them licked their lips and it was enough to set Orihime's stomach to churning. "I'm getting hard." The man cupped himself.

"Listen Little Lady, just lay there and be quiet and this'll be over quick." He grinned at his friends. The agreed heartily. "A pretty little thing like you belongs in my bed.

"And a vile thing like you belongs in jail!" Orihime spat. Digusted.

"Who do you think you are bitch!" He hissed, stepping forward into her danger zone and was highly unaware of how unsafe he was so close to her. Most people didn't expect any type of strength from her because or either her beauty, her personality, or her willingness to help a stranger out. He reached an arm out to grab for her. Orihime lashed out with her left leg, wrapping it around his out stretched arm and pulled it toward the ground. Deftly she struck upward with her other leg, her knee smashing his nose into his brain.

But what they didn't know was that she knew how fight and was extremely profient at it.

She winced when his body hit the stone payment, she hoped he was okay.

"The fuck!" His friends shouted rushing toward her. She grabbed the first one around the wrist and sent her open palmed hand into the side of his neck. Turning swiftly to intercept the other, she did the same. She held on tightly to their wrists and set them carefully on the ground. She sighed, she really wanted to avoid things like this. She only fought in self defense but even then it seemed like such a bad idea. She flipped open her cell and called the police.

"Hello, I'd like to report an attack."

Within minutes the police were on the scene and asking her questions. It seemed to go on forever. It took all of her efforts to not drop to the floor and cuddle up.

"How did you, such a small woman, manage to take down three huge men?" The officer eyied her skeptically.

" My friend Tatsuki had me tested in Martial Arts and supposedly I'm at Shyodan level or something." She laughed and rubbed her head. "Whatever that means."

The cops blanched and gawked at her. This small beautiful girl was a black belt.

He must have seen the hagard look in her eyes because the next thing out his mouth was "Well is there someone we should call, you seem tired?"

"Nope, I live just around the corner."

"At the hotel?" He asked, his eyes lifting to stare at the tall, expensive building.

"Yep, my agency provides housing for me so I'm a permanant resident." She nodded.

"Well atleast let me get you a ride." Orihime tried to reject his invitation but he seemed determined. She climbed into the car with another officier. Even though she could plainly see the hotel it took about twenty minutes to get there. Within seconds of driving she had layed her head down. A gentle hand on her shoulder woke her up.

"Wha-"

"We're here." She glanced over and at the cop.

"So we are." She really didn't want to move, it was so warm in there. But she knew she must. She opened the door to slide out when the cop spoke to her.

"If your job wears you out this much, then maybe you should change your profession."

Orihime paused and turned to look at him. Really look at him. He had black hair, was lean, and had three scars running down the side of his face. He was attractive in the rough em up type of way.

"Even though sometimes I go home tired, lagging, and tense. I wouldn't give it up for the world. I love what I do." She looked over at him. "And I'm sure you do too."

He looked startled. "I do what?"

"Enjoy what you, or else you wouldn't be out here every night. You're needed." She smiled.

He was silent for a moment. "I guess you're right."

"Thank you for the ride." She bowed. "Mr.-"

"Hisagi."

"Orihime." She smiled.

"You're welcome, stay out of trouble." He drove away. But she didn't miss the small smile on his face at all.

Orihime sighed, wishing it were that simple. Trouble always managed to find her. She walked into the building, checked in at the front desk, and got on the elevator. Trudging her way to her door, she pulled out her key. She slide in into the lock. The thin line below the space where she inserted her key turned red. She tried again. Twice. Three times. Red. Hesitating she looked from the door slot to her hand and back again. She sighed and let the key slide from her hands..

I should have taken the ride from Szayel.

She felt her eyes drift shut and she was out like a light.