Disclaimer: I'm not Tite Kubo; I don't own the most wonderful anime I know of; Bleach. The word alone gives me chills. Just kidding. Lol. Though, I do own the OC villains that will appear. Everyone who's read my previous stories know that I just can't help myself...I have to ad OC villains...Dunno' why...maybe just to spice things up a bit...oh wait...I'm off topic...
Description: Renji/Orihime. Takes place after the Holy War. Things are just settling down and Orihime is adjusting to being a shinigami in the 4th Division while Ichigo and Rukia have gotten engaged. Renji seems calmer since he'd taken Shunsui's place as Captain of the 8th Division, having named Chad and Karin as twin lieutenants. As a new darkness rises, will Seiretei be able to piece themselves back together or will there be even more losses? Some that one can't come back from...
A/N: By the way, there are spoilers in this story! Just letting my wonderful readers know! And on a completely different note from the warning, I haven't discontinued my Witness Protection Sucks story; don't worry. I'll work on that one and this one with mostly regular updates, lol. And yes, I know that the arc isn't finished yet, but I just couldn't help myself, okay? And yeah, a lot of people died, but hey; they're still in the story, so I hope there's no problem... Anyway, hope you enjoy.
Chapter 1: Depression and Confession
Orihime sighed quietly, sinking into a chair at the 8th; it was a monthly gathering for celebration about surviving yet another trial, held by Captain Renji. Ichigo had replaced Renji as Kuchiki Taicho's lieutenant, while the 4th Division was still captainless. Some say that Orihime would take Retsu's place, but Orihime doubted it. She barely had enough energy as an unranked healer. Her Shun Shun Rika worked differently now that they were all combined into a zanpakuto instead of just fairies that came from hair pins, and she still hadn't figured out how to bring out his/her (the zanpakuto refused to speak to her) potential.
"Hey! Orihime!" Rukia called, jogging over and smiling. "Glad to see you here! You haven't been the past few months and you've missed the last several SWA meetings. Is everything okay?"
"Oh? Yes...I've just been tired, is all..." Orihime smiled, yawning. "See?"
"They're overworking you that much, huh?" Rangiku had come over, hands on her ample hips, breasts showing just as much as always. Her short hair bounced around her shoulders, having been straightened tonight with an added flip. All in all, it was a cute look for the tall, voluptuous woman.
"Well...it's not so bad...I just have to regain control over my powers; they're so different from what I'm used to, but I'll get it, don't you worry. It's just like that time when Rukia was taken and I had to learn how to use them from Yoruichi and man, that was hard, but I did eventually get it, you know, so it was okay. I'm sure this time will be just as okay and..." Orihime was babbling again. She knew it, but she couldn't let them know just how depressed she really was. She missed Tatsuki and she missed talking to all of her fairies individually, but now, they were all the same being.
Orihime felt weaker and more useless than ever. Ichigo had never really noticed her like she'd hoped he would. She'd been so sure when he'd saved her at Hueco Mundo that that would be her moment, but no. He chose Rukia. But I'm so happy for them. They're so happy and they're going to have wonderful babies that I'm going to help deliver... And Orihime had a kindred spirit in Renji, who'd felt the same about Rukia since forever.
Rangiku and Rukia listened to Orihime's chatter patiently, openly. They were true friends; there for her even when she got annoying and babbly. Just like Tatsuki would be if she were here or if I were there...If I hadn't died... "Just hang in there, Hime," Rukia smiled. "It'll get better."
Orihime nodded, though she doubted it would. She stood up. "Well, I'm going to get some punch..." She'd decided against sake; exhaustion wouldn't mix very well with alcohol.
"Yeah, catch up with you later!" Rangiku smiled brightly as Orihime gave a just as bright smile and made her way to the banquet table. All the captains pitched in, it having been Kyoraku Soutaicho's idea in the first place, which was also why the celebrations were held at the 8th Division. Orihime poured herself some punch, almost bumping into Renji.
"Oh, I'm sorry Abarai Taicho, I wasn't looking where I was going! Did I spill any punch on you? I hope not, because the last time I spilled punch on clothing, it took me months to really get it out, and by that time, the entire skirt was faded; not that you'd wear a skirt_"
"It's okay, Orihime, really." Renji laughed softly. "You talk too much."
"Sorry, I've been told that before...and that I daydream too much and come up with such wild stories that no one really believes me anymore_"
"It's okay. I was actually coming to find you." Both Renji and Orihime had matured over the past two years; the battles taking away some of their lightheartedness and much of Orihime's innocence (though that part was due mostly to Nnoitra and Aizen...yeah, not going into that). They were more serious, though Orihime remained ditzy and Renji remained wild and...well, Renji.
"Oh really? If it's about that time I broke your red dragon, I did fix it..."
"No-Wait a second, when did you break my red dragon?"
"What red dragon?"
"The one that you just said you broke!"
"I broke something?"
"I dunno', you said you fixed it..."
"Did I?"
"Yeah, you did...I think...Wait, what?"
"I dunno'. What were you looking for me for?"
"Uh...Oh yeah! Walk with me?"
"Okay, sure." Orihime followed him, drinking her punch. The past few months, she'd grown to like Renji; maybe even love him. But she was afraid that he'd choose someone else; just like Rukia did. Generally, when someone older or more superior to you tells you to walk with them, it's not good...what if he's going to tell me that he found someone else and that he's happy with them? Just like all the other guys I've liked...Will I always be the supportive wallflower nodding and smiling and acting ditzy and like I either don't notice or don't care?
What if he chose Rangiku, or the newly fully grown Neliel? Something like that would just break Orihime's heart. After having lost Ulquiorra (to death) and Ichigo (to Rukia) and Uryu (to Nemu) and Chad (to Karin) {though Ichigo affected her the most, he having had her strongest feelings directed at him}, Orihime didn't think she could take much more heart break. Just look at what it did to Zaraki Taicho. He was more violent and depressed and sexually frustrated than ever...
"So Orihime, I've noticed you've been...well not yourself lately..." Renji turned to her. "It's got me worried."
Ugh. Not another one... Orihime inwardly groaned, but hid it with one of those forced, bright smiles that she was so good at. "Oh, I'm fine_"
"Don't. Don't pull that s*** with me," Renji interrupted her sternly, his hands on her shoulders as he stepped in front of her. He spoke quieter the second time. "Please, Orihime...just tell me what's wrong." His eyes were uncharacteristically soft; Ichigo's eyes had never been like that unless he looked at Rukia.
Orihime sighed, shoulders slumping. Renji had always been there more than Ichigo had. He knew about the Nnoitra and Aizen thing, and her feelings for Ulquiorra, however brief they were. He also knew about all the minor crushes and of course he knew about the whole Ichigo matter; that was a given.
"I'm just not useful," She admitted. "Not as useful as I was before, since I lost most of my control over Shun Shun Rika since they combined and became a zanpakuto that doesn't really like me all that much...and then there's the whole Ichigo and Rukia thing and..." Her eyes welled up despite how much she wished the tears to stay at bay. "And I miss Tatsuki...and my aunt, however estranged she is, but most of all Tatsuki, who's gone off to college now and I can't go see her except for when I'm discharged to the human world, and I won't be discharged to the human world because I'm so weak and...and..." The tears fell and Renji embraced her; one of the rare moments when he was gentle.
"I'm sorry..." He muttered. "Look, I'll try to get you discharged with me, okay? We'll visit her together when we're on hollow rounds or I can just stand outside the door while you two talk or something."
"R-really?" Orihime smiled through her tears, sniffling softly and looking up at Renji.
"Yeah. And if you want, I can help you with Shun Shun Rika...you know, Zanpakuto 101."
"You're the best, Renji!" Orihime kissed his cheek, hugging him again, not seeing the smile that played on his lips as he stroked her hair.
"Yeah...yeah, you are too, Hime-chan..."
She looked up at him, tilting her head to the side and he awkwardly rubbed the back of his head. "Uh...yeah...I uh...Not great with words here, but I...I love...I love you?" Renji stuttered.
"I love you too!" Orihime kissed his cheek again, her head on his chest. She could hear his sigh of relief and in truth, she felt equally relieved. She also felt lighter and as cheerful and energized as she was two years ago before this whole mess started. Renji had brought her back to that; not Ichigo. Renji Abarai, recently named captain of the 8th Division in Shunsui Kyoraku's place.
o0o
"Is that the girl?" A deep voice boomed, watching the sleeping Orihime.
"Yes," A smoother, more feminine voice answered. "Orihime Inoue."
"I see. She is the one who can turn back time and manipulate space?"
"Oh, she could at one point, but I know not whether she can do such things again. Not with her powers so out of control."
"Renji Abarai will fix that, don't worry."
"I should hope so."
There was a grunt in agreement. "We will wait in silence until the moment to strike."
"Yes, Lord Aizen."
"Do not call me by that name. I am not my weak younger brother."
A/N: So yeah. I hope you enjoy it. I'll bring more updates soon; on both this story and Witness Protection Sucks. (WPS). Also, I know that Ichigo is stronger than Byakuya, but I just thought it'd be funny that he's working under Byakuya while he's engaged to the stoic captain's sister... Also, I know that a lot of people would question why Shunsui would pick Renji of all shinigami to replace him, but hey. Renji's a pretty strong guy now. I bet he could totally kick some tail in a fight, especially since the training from the Zero Division. So anyway, for now? Ta~