A/N: Just randomly started thinking of this idea for a story and here is the first chapter!

I do not own Bleach.

The End is Only the Beginning

By: KawaiPanda

Chapter One: When it Rains

It was raining.

It had started late into the night before, on and off all night until it finally decided to storm all day. The grey clouds seemed as if they had no intentions of ever letting up. Orihime loved all kinds of weather, rain most of all. Why? Because it meant that there would be a rainbow sometime after the clouds broke up. Also, without rain, nothing would survive. The whole planet would become a desert, dried up and barren. Like Hueco Mundo...

Surprisingly, it was still a bit chilly outside and she chose to wear her grey uniform jacket. With finals and summer right round the corner, her senior year was quickly coming to an end, much to her disappointment. She was going to miss all of her friends as they all were on different paths. Tatsuki was going away to China so she could learn more styles of martial arts. Chad was also going to Mexico to visit family. Uryu was off to college to become a doctor. And Ichigo... well he was going to the Soul Society to become stronger and learn at the Academy there, Rukia with him. And she was just going to be working, staying in Karakura Town. She didn't really have a plan as to what she was going to do for the rest of her life, but she was semi content with life in Karakura.

This morning, she made care to put on her pink rain boots and grab her rainbow colored umbrella that she had put out last night as soon as the rain began, knowing she might be a bit rushed to get to school on time. She had the feeling that her power would go out some time in the night, and it had. However, because she had to wake up so early every morning, her internal alarm woke her up, roughly thirty minutes before classes started.

"Oh no! I'm going to be late!" She cried in alarm when she groggily glanced at the clock on her nightstand. She practically fell out of her bed in her mad dash to get up.

She was grateful she had the insight to shower last night, because she barely had the time to dress for school before she was out the door, running like the hounds of hell were on her heels. She almost forgot to lock the door behind her, but thankfully she remembered at the last minute. She took the steps two at a time, because every second counted, especially when it came to the gate in front of the school. Like clockwork, the gates closed at exactly 8:30 and if you were caught outside, you were screwed.

The rain was poring in thick sheets, the gutters overflowing from the amount of water coming down.

Because of how much water was flooding the streets, she knew better than to run along the roads in which would be the busiest during the day because she would probably get drenched and instead, took to the side streets and alleyways. However, it was this decision to go down an alleyway that was going to change her life.

She wasn't too far from school, not even a hundred feet away, when she came across a box, and in that box were some kittens. By now, the box was soggy and the kittens were soaked to the bone.

"Aww, who would leave you little guys out in the rain like this?" They mewed at her, clambering over one another to get her attention. She leaned down and pet several, but the clock outside of school gave the two minute warning and she looked at them apologetically. "Sorry guys. I have to go to school, but you can have my umbrella." She gingerly placed it inside the box, making sure it wouldn't fall over and it completely covered the kittens from the rain. "I'll be back as soon as I can, ok?"

She jogged away, shivering slightly.

It didn't take long to reach the school grounds, but by then, she was already soaked to the bone, her clothing sticking to her and making her quite uncomfortable. She knew that she would have to either change into her gym uniform or dry out her clothes as soon as possible or else they would become stiff.

She informed her teacher that she would be a few minutes late and rushed to the bathroom, the bell ringing signaling the start of classes. Sighing, she hastily took of her jacket and shirt, ringing them out in the sink. It took a good ten minutes for her to get her clothes somewhat dry enough to wear without them sticking to her skin.

Quickly dawning her clothing, she rushed to class, apologizing as she walked to her desk, ignoring the curious stares from her friends.

XxXxXxXxX

"Why were you late today Orihime?" Tatsuki asked with concern laced in her question.

It was lunch time, and everyone was on the roof, eating their lunch, everyone being Ichigo, Rukia, Tatsuki, Chad, Uryu, Keigo, and Mizurio.

"I got a bit side tracked." Orihime replied apologetically, thinking of the kittens. It had stopped raining a little while ago while in class, and she wanted to check up on them, but she knew she wouldn't be able to until after school was out. After school, she planned on taking them home if no one had found them by then. She knew it was against her lease, but she was pretty sure she would be able to find some people to take the kittens.

"That's fine... but where is your umbrella? You were soaked this morning!" Tatsuki scowled at her.

"Sorry! It's a long story."

"Just remember to bring it next time. We don't need you getting sick."

She nodded and nibbled on her meal. Some red bean paste and bread, one of her most favorite food combos to eat. While she was eating, she noticed the glances and interactions between Rukia and Ichigo, not entirely sure of whether or not she liked sitting with them here, blatantly rubbing their relationship in her face.

Orihime knew from the moment that Rukia came into the picture, that all of her chances with Ichigo had gone out of the window. It might have been four years since Rukia appeared in their lives, but it wasn't until this past month that they told everyone they had been dating. So, it still hurt, especially since Rukia knew from the get go about her feelings for Ichigo.

She was glad though that Rukia was here, because she wouldn't be friends with so many diverse people. She wouldn't know half of the things she does now, either. About the Shinigami and Hollows, etc. She even had powers because of her interactions with Rukia and Ichigo. Her Shun Shun Rikka abilities. Her powers were so unique that she was kidnapped because of them. She had the ability to "reject" events, and such, basically turning back time, and keeping them from occurring.

She had many friends in the Soul Society as well, Rangiku, Yachiru, Toshiro, and many others. She was very thankful for them all. But for her, it seemed as if she had more in common with the dead then the living and she didn't know if that was something that could be considered "good."Orihime felt so out of place in the living world sometimes, but she never voiced this with the others. She didn't want them to think she was depressed or something. No. It just wouldn't due at all to have them worry so much about her. After all, she wasn't suicidal or anything.

Noticing she was finished eating and there was probably only a minute or two before the bell was to ring, Orihime stood and walked back to class, knowing the others wouldn't miss her.

Not really.

XxXxXxXxX

School seemed to drone on forever after lunch for Orihime, and she found herself constantly fazing out as she stared outside. And when it was over, she noticed it was raining again. She sighed and was about to leave the school building when Tatsuki came running.

"Orihime!"

"Yes?" She turned to her best friend, who tried to thrust an umbrella into her hands.

"Here, take my umbrella. You really need one." Orihime blinked in surprise.

"No, no. You keep it. I'll be fine." She shook her head at her, and handed it back.

"But-"

"Besides, you'll need it for after you club. I promise to go right home and get out of my wet clothes." Tatsuki sighed, resigned to her fate of being friends with someone who would risk her own health for others.

"Okay, but you have to go straight home." Orihime smiled.

"I will."

"Okay. I might come by later so we can work on our homework together." She nodded.

"Alright. See you later!"Orihime waved her away and left the school building in a dash, heading back to where the kittens should be. It didn't take long for her to find them again, glad she had left her umbrella behind for them. Their box wasn't as soggy now, and when they spotted her, the kittens mewled even louder then when she first found them.

"Hey there little ones! I hope you didn't think I was going to forget about you!" She smiled happily at them, picking up the box of kittens and umbrella. She made care to keep them covered as she began the long trek home. And it was on this trek that she made a mistake of keeping to the alleyways. She knew that traffic would be heavy with people heading home from work and school and such, and wanted to stick to less traveled roads in order to keep from being splashed by a car or bus.

Not even three blocks away from her home, Orihime ran into some trouble.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" There was a couple of guys her own age leaning against the wall, as if they were in wait for her the whole time.

"I think we gots us a play thing for us to enjoy boss." The shorter of the two stated, get a bit close for comfort for Orihime.

"I agree. Would you like to play with us?" The other one crossed his arms, leering at her.

Orihime shook her head, eyes wide. She clutched the box tight to her chest, the umbrella dropping to the ground without another thought to it. "Please leave me alone. I'm trying to get home."

"Sorry, but there's a hefty toll you gotta pay for walking down this alley." The kittens once again mewled, though this time in protest to the onslaught of rain beating down on both them and Orihime.

"Leave me alone. I'm warning you." They just smirked, and moved in closer.

"Tsubaki, I reject!" She out cried in panic. The fairie with a temper to make up for his size, was released and shot out, attacking without hesitation. The one directly in front of her fell over, his body cut in half by her power, while the other one freaked out.

"What the hell?" Her eyes widened and she took off, running right into the oncoming traffic.

The blaring horn of a car a few feet away caused Orihime to glance at it, though time seemed to slow down as the vehicle rushed towards her, the screech of it's breaks echoing loudly in her ears.

A/N: Who do you think Orihime should end up with?

Helpful critique is welcome!