It was 8 years after the fullbring arc. And 5 years since orihime left town in the pretence of going to live with her distant relatives. The truth was she couldn't stand it all anymore, how Ichigo never showed the kind of affection she wanted him to, he only saw her as a friend and nothing else. Even after Rukia and Renji got married, he still seemed to care for Rukia more than he cares for her.
"Orihime, I know you don't want me to tell him or any of our friends but it's been 5years now. And I still don't know how you've kept it a secret till now. I see him go to the soul society sometimes how doesn't he know?" Tatsuki asked her orange haired friend that now undoubtedly looks more mature and even intimidating to some, intimidating; that is till she spoke...
"When I turned to the soul society and asked them to accept me as a soul reaper, I didn't even know if that was a thing, a human as a soul reaper but I tried because I was desperate. I thought they'd reject me and I'd have to seek it out by other means, perhaps by dying. In fact they took it really well, my theory is because they'd feel more secure having me on their side than later on in future having me against them, just to keep a close eye on me I think.
Since the conversation between the head captain, the other captains and I ended up turning into somewhat like a contract of some sort, I went on with it. They allowed me some excesses as I was given some terms to abide by, which were; the research and development department will have to do whatever research they'd have to in other to turn me into a soul reaper without dying or losing my initial spiritual power or my memories as a human, not really a term if you ask me because it's exactly what I wanted and I think captain kurotsuchi was just trying to have his fun, I still remember what he put me through, I must say, It wasn't pretty.
The second condition was to live the life of a true soul reaper, the Head captain Yamamoto was really serious about this term, he also said I had the luxury to keep my memories as a human but I didn't have the luxury to act like one. I was totally fine with all the terms. My requests were; They'd allow me come to the world of the living anytime I wanted but I also wont be breaking any rules And the other was; The soul society will hide my identity from Ichigo as long as possible, even after the head captain issued it, I still personally asked Rukia and Renji to keep it a secret. Luckily the soul society hasn't been in real trouble so Ichigo hasn't seen me yet. Real lucky eh?" Orihime asked smiling at her friend.
"Yeah…I guess. But he will find out sooner or later. He's been asking after you"
"Enough about the past. How's life at the stadium" Orihime said trying to change the topic
Tatsuki sighed knowing Orihime was good for avoiding topics that had to do with Ichigo "Okay. Point taken. don't talk about ichigo".
"Anyway…How's life been in the soul society?" Tatsuki asked
"Fine. Fine. Its not easy being a new Captain but I'm trying. How's Chad and the kids?"
"They are all good. Chad is on a business trip right now but he'll be back soon though, I can't wait for the kids to spend quality time with you"
"They will eventually. I think I have finally reached the point in my life where I don't care about what Ichigo thinks of me anymore. So I'm sure I'd be coming here more often." she said sipping from her tea cup
"And you are totally sure you don't want to know how his life is now?" Tasuki asked again "I mean if you're really passed it, shouldn't everything be easy going now?"
"I have forgotten everything but haven't really come to terms with moving on, with time it will happen and that is why I try my best not to think about him. Its getting late. I should head back to the soul society before my lieutenant starts nagging at me". Orihime said sipping her tea cup yet again.
"Aren't you the captain of squad 8, does your lieutenant dare oppose you?" Tatsuki asked angry.
"It's more complex than it seems. If I don't show respect, I won't be respected and if I don't show authority I will be disrespected and that's why I didn't want to accept the promotion, you instigated me remember? Authority isn't really my thing."
"I'm sure you'll make it work. I still find it hard to believe you are a captain now and all it took was five years." Tatsuki said exclaiming in sheer surprise
"Ichigo attained even more than the power of a captain in less than a year. If you ask me. I'm not all the way there yet." Orihime replied looking more serious than before. "Anyway I really should start heading back now. See you later Tasuki, my love to the family"
"Please don't let it take so long before you pay me another visit" Tatsuki yelled at orihime's retreating form.
"Okay. Bye now!" with that she flash stepped away.
"She's so different now. Very strong too no doubt. I'm sure even Ichigo will have a hard time sparing with her" Tatsuki thought
"Captain Inoue, I've been looking all over for you" a grumpy voice spoke
"wooh, you startled me Midori, how long have you been there?" Orihime asked
"Not too long ago but you didn't answer me captain"
"I went to see a friend and I'm sure I didn't take too long. Is there anything you wanted to tell me?"
"Yes captain. The head captain requests your presence." she went straight to the point
"Okay. Thank you. Is that all?"
"Captain...I'd like to say something" Midori said suddenly looking nervous
Orihime knowing her usually antiques didn't fret over her sudden change in countenance
"she was a drama queen like that, having different emotions at close intervals, she was just animated, much like my younger self" Orihime thought
"Sure. Go ahead."
"Thank you. I know it seems like the squad members don't like you. But they are just getting used to you. I am more or less new myself, it took just a little while and they got used to me. It'd be like that with you too I'm sure, probably even sooner cause you are a really nice person."
"Thanks Midori. To be honest, I thought it was you who didn't like me."
Midori chuckled a little, almost evilly but also harmless
"Why would you think that captian?"
"Ohh…never mind I'll be on my way now. Maybe we'll have a girls night out one of these days"
"Yes Captain."
"Captain Inoue, you are late"
"I'm sorry head Captain, I wasn't around…"
"Hmph…" he made his usual sound he made to stamp authority
"Don't mean to speak out of line but it doesn't look like I'm that late. I can only see captain Kuchiki here" she said.
"It isn't a blunder Captain Inoue. I only need to speak to the both of you. You assumed it was a normal captains meeting" Yamamoto explained.
Captain Kuchiki just stood there and waited for the head captain to commence with his speech.
"The era is changing. A lot of captains have started making their own families. You two are the only single one's left except Captain kanpachi. Although even if they were now burdened with families, it wouldn't disrupt their jobs as captains, I could easily send another captain on this mission but I don't want to disrupt their momentary peace, I'm just choosing to excuse them. so I'll send you both to the world of the living to join hands with Ichigo kurosaki and eradicate the threat about to arise"
Immediately kurosaki's name was mentioned, orihime's heart skipped a beat which didn't go unnoticed they the strong Captains in the room.
"I remember our initial agreement Inoue but this cannot be avoided. Zaraki has another mission and this is going to be your first main mission as a captain"
"I understand head Captain. I can't run away forever."
"If I may ask head captain what's this mission?" Byakuya asked getting tired of the foreplay but restrained himself from sounding irritated
"Kurotsuchi during a research, found out that in exactly one week from today, there will be a reap in the sky; garganta's opening at precisely unknown location but definitely in karakura town, having the highest amount of high level spiritual pressure from humans. This will eventually lead to the entry of thousands of hollows into the world of the living, the cause for the reap is still unknown. A single soul reaper cannot possibly eradicate them and the hollows could include any type, from weak to strong, that, kurotsuchi couldn't pinpoint"
"So we are to fend off these hollows?" Byakuya clarified
"Exactly. We are advised that you go earlier possibly even right away. Calculations can go wrong."
"Right now?" Orihime asked skeptical
"Yes! Captain Inoue. This meeting is dismissed. You can both work on a compromise."
With that head captain Yamamoto left the room leaving only Byakuya and Orihime.
Byakuya was about leaving as well then Orihime talked.
"Captain Kuchiki. Umm I know we aren't that close but I do hope we get along" she said.
"Yes." his usual stoic persona unchanging, he's had an unspoken respect for her since she became a soul reaper and also because of how strong she become almost over night but other than that he's never really given the new captain much thought.
"Great. the thing is where to stay when we get to karakura, my old place is definitely out of the question, maybe we could stay at a motel?. That's after a normal check in with Urahara. So are we going right now or are we going later on"
"I don't see why we can't proceed now" his emotionless voice said.
"Ohh. Okay let's go then." She said almost losing the composure a captain should have.
"This guy really unnerves me... jeez he's like a big block of ice" she said to herself
As she led the way, her swaying hips didn't go unnoticed by Byakuya but just for an instant, his mind swiftly drifted into something else.
"I don't know if you've been here before but this is-" she tried saying to cut the awkward silence
"Urahara's shop, I know." he cut her off
"Okay…moving on…"
She walked in first. After they exchanged pleasantries and a little chat of how their life's been. They went on to look for a place to check in for their stay.
Orihime loudly sighed "this can't be a coincidence, all the hotels are fully book, this one's our last choice" she said starring at the big building "karakura was really becoming a great city" she thought
Byakuya was found it strange that all the hotels were booked "perhaps an event I'm town?" he assumed
Orihime walked up to the counter with her fingers crossed "Hello" she greeted
"Welcome Ma'am" the receptionist replied
"please we'd like to regular rooms" she said still praying for a positive reply
"I'm sorry ma'am we only have 1 king suite left" the receptionist said almost with spite
Orihime looked at Byakuya for approval knowing they'd be sharing a room
"That will suffice" he said to the receptionist.
"And here are the keys Sir" the receptionist said flirtatiously while handing the keys to Byakuya
"oh so that's why she was spiteful earlier..." Orihime thought as she watched this exchange, she couldn't help but scuff and roll her eyes at the scene
They made their way to their room, after taking in the beautiful room, a beautiful couch, a magnificent bed and "Yay, TV!" Orihime squeaked like a child that got their entire lost for Christmas, she couldn't remember the last time she watched Tv"
This sound earned her an annoyed look from Byakuya
She immediately apologized "Sorry" she said plain and simple
"Umm do you want anything I think I'll call room service, I'm famished" she said to him
"Anything will do" he said
"would it kill him to pick a side?" she thought as she rolled her eyes and walked over to where the phone was by the bed.
"Hello?" she said through the phone the the recipient
"okay I'd like to have dinner, can I just have two places of Broiled chicken thighs with Sweet and spicy honey glaze." she requested not really looking through the menu for further options
She sighed again, thinking how boring this mission was going to be, not only had she been forced to work with Ichigo, she also had to stick with this Iceberg.
She hated uncomfortable silence but with Byakuya even speaking or her usual antics will even be more uncomfortable, "what's he's deal" she thought "He only spoke when he needs to pass information and even thinks twice before giving replies after been spoken to. No wonder rukia seemed to fear him"
"I'll take the couch"
She could barely register what he was saying due to her intense conversation with herself
"what?" she said rather meekly
"I'll take the couch" he repeated without much fuss
She finally understand, "Oh no, I can't allow that, I mean you are a noble! you can't sleep on the couch Captain Kuchiki"
"I wasn't asking Captain Inoue" he stated
She ran over to the bed, took a pillow and then made her way to the couch and laying on it, to show him She was going to take the couch whether he liked it or not.
"I heard she was selfless to a fault, a true kind soul. But he couldn't have this discussion continue" he thought
"Suit yourself" he said walking over to the wardrobe to see if they had something he could change into"
She just stared at him "Whatever..." she said aloud angry at how much he dismisses her casually, just like Ichigo. She grabbed the remote control and started surfing channels.
Of course he heard her remark, he wondered if he had done anything wrong "Women are so complicated" he thought but still just chose to let it slide just this once, she wouldn't be allowed to disrespect him again.
Apart from the clothes their Gigai's had on, he didn't have much choice than to change into one of the towel robes he found in the wardrobe.
Orihime was bored to hell "Where's the food" she groaned, as if on cue, the door bell rang "room service" she popped out of the couch... "The foods here" she couldn't help yet another squeak that made Byakuya cringe.
"Stop doing that, you aren't a child Captain Inoue" he said
"Sorry, but I don't think I'll stop, it was what made you utter the longest sentence since we started this mission" She said forgetting whom she was talking to.
She could swear she saw a tiny movement on his lip like a smile that was quickly subsided.
Rolling her eyes at his lack of response "And here we are to simple sentences again" she made her way to the door and got the food trolley in.
"I'm going to take a shower before eating" just throwing the statement in the air, she walked to the bathroom, locking the door.
"She realized she didn't take a towel right?, and she abandoned the food she'd been craving? Women were strange, but She was pushing the boundary of being the strangest"
He decided to wait for her before eating. Soon after he heard her curse in the bathroom 'shit' she must have realized her mistake. "I guess she's not the angel everyone thinks her to be"
"Umm Captain Byakuya?"
After saying that, she heard a knock on the bathroom door and hid behind the door before creaking it open.
Looking away Byakuya handed her the other towel robe.
"Thank you" she said blushing out of embarrassment.
After they ate their meal, they retired to their spots.
"We'll meet up with Kurosaki tomorrow morning, for our strategy" he said knowing she wasn't sleeping yet.
So this is the beginning of crappy urge but here i'm making Byakuya less ooc cause, so let's see how this one unfolds
Hope you love it
Please Review.