NOTE:

So this is a really old fanfic I had posted on this site years ago. Some of you may recognize it and some of you may not, but for those of you who do I apologize for having taken it down and regret it every day as it had been doing really well and I received many reviews that I appreciated. The reason it was taken down was because my friend was lent the account and I honestly just didn't have the time to continue the sequel so she just deleted it. :( She told me at the time the amounts of messages she was receiving, asking where it was and if I'd ever finish the sequel.

Goodness I felt so bad!

Only now after going through files did I even remember this story. I know, I'm a terrible! Anyways, I honestly loved this story and it was so long ago when I wrote it, I found myself cringing at the spelling mistakes I noticed and if could, would go back and fix it all but...it's a lot of chapters, it would take far too long! So for those of you reading this, I apologize and appreciate you reading it at all.

Anyways, I thought I would post this back up despite if it gets as much readers as the last time or not. If it does, wonderful! If not, that's ok. :) I'm going to post as many chapters as I can. I was thinking if it does to well again I wouldn't mind picking up on the sequel "Forever With The Wind" which can be found on my profile (once I've loaded it on).

Anyways, enjoy. :)

Chapter One

The bell finally rang to dismiss the drained students of Karakura High. Meanwhile, Ichigo felt his heavy brown eyes close on him as he unhurriedly made his trip home. He was still exhausted from last night's mêlée. He felt it wasn't reasonable that he was always caught fighting hollows and studying for exams—but he'd always be reminiscent of the vow he took to fight Hollows and protect innocent people.

Now normally combating against Hollows was a Peace of cake but ever since his twin sister, Aneko Kurosaki, found her inner power—to a somewhat extent, she was always tagging along in battles, thus making him distracted in her safety.

"Ichigo!"

Ichigo glanced back as an abrupt voice called to him. He promptly became aware of Orihime sprinting towards him with her incredible, and yet usual, smile on her pretty face.

"Orihime…what is it?" He inquired obliviously.

"I wanted to walk with you…That ok?"

He blinked at her twice before replying, "Oh…sure."

They walked past the road in a discomfited silence. Orihime inwardly glanced at him every chance she got. 'If…If only I could tell him how I feel…' She desperately told herself, feeling her face blush from the very idea.

Noticing, Ichigo looked her way. "Is something the matter…?" He then asked, a bit concern.

"Uh…! N-no! No! I was just…uh…just thinking of something funny that happened to me!" She fibbed sheepishly.

"Oh …I see…"

"Yeah…!"

He casually looked back in front, away from her. Orihime sighed to herself twiddling her fingers. 'Who am I kidding? He'll never return my feelings…'

"Can I ask you something…?" He unexpectedly asked. She swiftly placed her brilliant eyes to him and smiled. "Yes! Of course!"

He stopped walking, staring to the ground in deep thought. Orihime mimicked, a few inches away from him—concerned of the substitute's actions. "Ichigo…?" She softly approached.

"Do…do you think bringing Aneko to battle is right?"

Orihime paused for a moment, smiling sweetly. "I think it's great we have another member to help us on our missions!" She replied thoughtfully.

"…But do you think she's strong enough to handle them—if on her own?" He pressed, still gazing at the solid ground.

She took a step closer. "I think she's very strong…you know as well as I do that if she happens to be on her own she'll be fine."

He finally fixed his eyes to her, smile clear, but not so convincing. "Yeah…I guess you're right."

"Right! Besides…she'll always be with us in battles! I'll make sure she's unharmed!" She assured brightly.

Her honest and strong-minded words forced a sincere smile from the deputy Shinigami. "True…thanks Orihime,"

Orihime froze, timid from his kind gratified words. "U-uh…it's noting, really!"

The smile that brought itself out shrunk into a small smirk. "Well I'm off. I'll see you tomorrow." He said, walking an opposite direction from Orihime.

"U-uh…bye!" She waved back, feeling her face cool off. Once he was out of site she lowered her hand heartbreakingly. "Ichigo…"

"I'm home…" Ichigo announced nonchalantly as he set foot into the entrance of his cozy home. Before he could take all the stress that bottled inside of him—just let loose, he became still. He kept in mind of his father's every day kick-greeting, but noticed there was no reply. He was still standing tall.

"Hello…?" He absently placed his school bag on the table, perceiving two dinner plates on the stove with a small handwritten letter. He walked towards the plates and took the letter in his hand.

Dear Ichigo and Aneko,

I went to the hospital, got called in and took Yuzu and Karin with me. Yuzu made your dinners. We'll be back later.

Dad

P.S I'll lay the beat down on you later, Ichigo!

Placing the letter down with a scoff, Ichigo's eyes glanced at the old clock that sat just above their table, in the living room. It was already 6:00 PM and Aneko wasn't even home yet.

"I wonder where she is…"

Just as he made his way to the fridge, suddenly craving milk, he listened to the sound of heavy crashing in his room.

"What the…?!" He jumped from startle.

"YO, ICHIGO!" Abruptly, the little stuffed lion, Kon, jumped on the teen's surprised face. Wasting no time, Ichigo snatched the lion by his tail and glared at him. "What the hell was—" He silenced himself as he took in Kon's interesting outfit. He wore a pink dress with two white ribbons. One located on the front chest and the other placed on the back of his dress, giving off the feminine touch. "—That?"

"Ichigo, I'm going with you to school from now on! This is what happens when I'm left unaccompanied in this hell!" The little toy demanded, swinging back and forth, wrong side up.

"And what makes you think that…?" Ichigo questioned.

"I'll…I'll…Run away!"

His eyes narrowed. "And what makes you think I'll care?"

Kon immediately began struggling in the ignorant teenager's grasp. "Ichigo, you heartless bastard…!" Kon managed to lastly liberate himself from Ichigo's tight grasp, landing carefully on the floor, instantly racing towards the window. "I'll never forgive you for this!"

"I'm home!"

Both males cocked their heads back and noticed Aneko standing by the door with books in one hand and a gym bag in the other, meanwhile her schoolbag was being kicked inside the residence. Her long, wavy bright orange hair, exact color as Ichigo's, was completely drenched as she wore it in a ponytail—still in her wrinkled school uniform.

"ANEKO!" Kon cried in bliss as he jumped into her arms, causing her books to plunge to the ground. "K-Kon…?"

"Ichigo was being mean to me!" He noisily sobbed.

Unfortunately, the collected girl wasn't so much worried of her brother's doing, but the creatures uniquely designed dress. "What the hell are you wearing…?" She asked, snickering at the poor little lion, who now felt he lost all dignity he thought he even had.

"You're just like him! How dare you! I should report you all to the administrator of stuffed animal abuse!" He leapt out of her arms, dashing towards the door. Joy filled his button eyes as the though of freedom filed his thoughts.

"Wait!" Aneko abruptly closed the door on him. Kon slam against the hard material of the entrance. At that moment the lion knew all hope was lost.

"Ouch…!" He whined, rubbing his tiny nose.

"Not so fast kitty!" Aneko yelled, glaring down at the dizzy toy.

"I'm…a lion…!" He retorted as he got up.

"You dropped all my things! Now pick them up!" She ordered.

"What…?!" He glanced back at all the stuff that spread over the floor. To him it looked like Mount Everest considering he was the size of a book. "But…! But…!"

"Hurry it up—and place them on my bed! I have to study." She demanded, though she was only joking. At least, she thought he understood the little humor being expressed.

Kon pouted. "Aww…!"

Suddenly he recalled the beautiful window that had his name all over it. "Ha, now you can't make me!" He gripped as his lightly-stuffed body jumped out the window.

Both Ichigo and Aneko watched stunned until they heard a very faint Ouch. Aneko then giggled and began picking her books up.

"Need help?" Ichigo offered, bending down next to her, picking up paper. She glanced at him and nodded. "Sure…" She soon finished picking up all her stuff, becoming aware Ichigo finished too.

"So where were you?" He then asked, placing her books on top of the kitchen counter, over her stacks of notes.

She arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean…? I had swimming today…remember?"

He glanced at the calendar and noticed a big red circle on today's date, indicating: Aneko's swimming meet.

"Oh…"

She rolled her eyes at him and grabbed her stuff. "I'm going to my room…"

He watched as she left, exhaustedly sighing to himself.

Time passed and night soon dominated the quiet town. Aneko sat on her comfy bed—which bared light green covers and cream colored pillows—taking a brief moment to relax. Her bed was the smallest in the house, but she learned to deal with it once her father told her it was only fair, since last Christmas she got a cell phone, where Ichigo only got jeans.

After taking a nippy breather, Aneko grabbed her shoulder bag and placed it over her laps.

"Let's see…I have a history exam tomorrow…so I guess I should look over the notes we took on the war…" She got up and began searching through a few pages that lay on the floor. Her room was filled with so much books and paper, you'd probably sink in.

Knock, Knock

After hearing knocking from her door, which wasn't a loud forceful knock, but a softer, yet easy to hear knock, she cocked her head to the side. "Come on in…!" She called, still looking through her notes.

Ichigo stepped inside, only to be stopped by thick books in the way. "What the heck is all this?" He then questioned.

She glanced up at him for a second, and continued to look through her stuff. "My notes for the exam…In other words, my ticket to get me on that trip to the swimming finals," She replied evenly.

"I see…" He had a rather perplexed look on his face. "You really doubt yourself…don't you? Look at all these freakin' notes…! No even Uryu has this much!"

"Shut up. Now is there something you need?" She inquired lividly, getting up with a rather irritated look on her simple face. She knew it wasn't his fault she was so aggravated…It was all the studying.

At least that's what she kept telling herself.

"No…I just brought your dinner…" He replied, showing her a bowl with warm rice in it.

"O-oh…thanks…" She quietly received it and took a bite.

"By the way…" He went on, positioning his hands into the pockets of his comfy pants. He then began scanning his eyes around her room. It wasn't long until he spotted her idle weapon standing against her soft pink wall. It was an oversized Japanese war fan with sharp metal edges that could probably cut in half with one swing, if used accurately.

"…Do you enjoy fighting?" He mustered to ask. He knew her too well, probably more than anyone else. He had to be careful with his words.

She looked up at him with broaden brown eyes. She nearly chocked on her food. "W-what kind of question is that?!"

"A vital one…" He replied with a serious manner. "…So do you?"

Still looking at him, she shook her head. "No…not at all!"

"So why are you—"

"—I just want to help care for others! I want to assist you!" She unexpectedly blurted, hoping he'd understand.

"But…why?" He asked, this time a bit vigilantly.

"Because…" She said, drifting off—eyes slowly looking away. She nibbled at her bottom lip subconsciously. She couldn't really put in plain words with such pressure. If she were to have asked herself randomly, deep down she'd have the answer…but like this?

"Well…" She began, placing her eager eyes to his. "…Why do you fight? Surely you have a rational reason…"

He looked at her with a blank stare. "Because…it's my responsibility…?"

"Well…why can't I help out?" She pressed.

"Because…you're just making it your responsibility…it isn't really your responsibility, Aneko!"

"So…?! I believe I was given my powers so that I too could have my own motive! It means that it's also my responsibility!" She defended.

Ichigo stopped and held his tongue. "…Fine," He spoke. "Do whatever you want…But I don't want you to push yourself to the limit…got it?"

He walked out the room, not giving her an option of replying back. He didn't seem so upset, but just because he didn't show it didn't mean he wasn't…After all, Ichigo was good at hiding his sentiments, and Aneko knew it.

"Idiot…" She uttered.

Next day was rushed for everyone. Since exams were taking place, many stayed home or went to school earlier to squeeze in enough time to study, and some went to school later considering their exams weren't till then.

Ichigo sighed as he headed to Karakura High School. The early sun made it bright on his tired eyes, making it hard for him to distinguish much. To prevent any damage, the deputy reaper placed his hand over his eyes, groaning.

"Ichigo!" Ichigo simply looked behind, knowing it could only be one person…Orihime Inoue. Placing his hand back down, he waited and watched as the jovial schoolgirl ran up to him.

"Good morning, Ichigo." She bowed in respect.

"Hey,"

On their small journey to school, Orihime inwardly looked to Ichigo with more of a worried stare than ever. "H-hey…are you ok?"

He nodded and yawned. "Yeah…I just didn't get enough sleep last night,"

"Oh…? Was it another battle?"

"No…I guess you could say I have a lot on my mind…"

"Well if you ask me, I'd go to sleep early tonight to catch up on the sleep you missed." She advised in a voice so happy it made Ichigo marvel at the thought…How could she always be in such high spirits? No matter the situation, she was always such a sunny person with an amazingly optimistic personality.

He shrugged his shoulders—small grin visible. "Yeah…I just might take your advice."

"So…where's Aneko?" She then asked, looking around.

"Oh…she decided to go early…"

"Really? Well it's good to see she's so committed in exams!" Orihime beamed.

Ichigo sighed. "You have no idea…"