This is a new fic that came to mind, hope you guys enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach

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Chapter One: Welcome Home

Does your heart ever flutter at the thought of something you're passionate about, like a breath of fresh air? Like a bright ray from the sun accented by a cooling breeze. There are so many simple things in life that can be attained, yet no one seems to notice it. It's hidden in the shadows, but brightened only by some.

Love, Happiness, these go hand in hand. Some say that too much of anything is bad for you, but I'd like to think otherwise.

20 year old Orihime closed the leather notepad, and presumed to stare outside of the window on the train to Karakura. This was her home. She had spent those couple of years in college, and decided to take a break off. She remembered dreaming of becoming the next great baker, and creating luxuries of deserts for a lifetime, but once she graduated High School, she realized that there were more things she could explore in. For example, art. She loved many branches and aspects of art: Writing, photography, and drawings. Though she couldn't draw very well, after her visit to France last year, she had fell in love with abstract painting, and even participated in it from time to time.

All of her time away seeing different places; she had grown out her airhead phase. Of course sometimes she could be a bit ditzy, but not as much as she used to be. She had definitely matured.

She wondered how her old friends would take that.

-sigh-

She couldn't wait to get off of the train to see them. She wasn't sure about seeing all of them, since she decided to come back home unannounced. Not everyone was still in Karakura. She knew that Ichigo was still in Karakura, and Rukia, and a few others. As for Tatsuki, she was off in Australia visiting different dojos. She wanted one of her own, so she wasn't currently home.

The train had finally halted, and Orihime exited it, grabbing her luggage. She pulled out her cellphone and dialed for a cab. She still remembered the number for the taxi service.

After waiting for a while, the cab pulled up outside of the train station, and Orihime got in, giving the driver the address of her old apartment. Of course she couldn't stay there while she leisured in Karakura, but she thought it'd be nice to pay a visit to some old residents.

The taxi pulled up by the sidewalk, and she asked the driver to wait, paying him an extra 25 dollars.

Orihime walked up the stairs, and knocked on her neighbor's door, Ms. Kenpai.

"Yes?" A young muffled voice replied to the knock as they opened the door. A young woman opened it. She looked no older than 25.

"Um, Hi, I'm Orihime Inoue, Does Ms. Kenpai still reside here?"

The girl's face began to frown. "O-oh. Ms. Kenpai, my grandmother. She died 6 months ago." The girl said shakily.

"oh, I'm sorry for your loss. I-I was just paying a visit, I was a neighbor of hers a few years back."

"Well, come in. I know she talked about being close to a young woman who was her neighbor.

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"She died of lung cancer. When we all found out she had it, it was too late. We begged her to come and stay with us, but she was a stubborn old mule as always, and denied us. However, she did allow us to check on her every now and then to be assured that she was okay." The girl said sorrowfully.

"Oh where are my manners; my name is Okichen."

"Once again, I'm sorry for your loss. Ms. Kenpai and I were very close, and my brother as well when he was still alive." Orihime said. "Oh! That reminds me!" Orihime went into her large suitcase, and rummaged through it and retrieved a silver broach shaped as a rose.

"She gave this to me when I graduated high School. She said it was her good luck charm. She wanted to give it to me to bring me luck and happiness. I'm as happy as can be now, so, here, take this." Orihime smiled.

Okichen's eyes lit up. "I remember this broach. When I was younger, she promised this to me when I was a little girl. She was going to give it to me when I was going to graduate as well, but she lost it around that time. She felt pretty bad about it. So she gave me a matching one like it instead."

Okichen's eyes began to tear up. "You keep it; I have one of my own. Keep it to remember her. You were just as important to her as well."

Orihime smiled back. "Thank you."

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After a welcoming visit with Okichen, Orihime was surprised to see the cab still waiting for her.

"I am so sorry. Thank you for your patience." Orihime said as she paid the driver a 50.

"No, keep it." The driver said as he took off his hat and tilted it towards her. "Anything for an old friend."

Orihime got a good look at the driver and realized it was Urahara.

"Urahara!"