Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, its characters, or its plot. I do, however, own my OC and her story. So no touchy :)

Also this story is a sequel to my story The Natural Blonde, so if you haven't read that yet you should go back and do so. Otherwise you're probably going to be really confused…

Chapter 1: A New Student

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ichigo asked as he looked down at Taylor.

"Yes," Taylor replied shortly without returning his gaze.

Feeling slightly uneasy Ichigo turned his eyes forward again. It had been four weeks since they had returned from the Soul Society and Taylor had learned that her mother had died. She was doing better now, but no matter how hard she tried to hide it Ichigo knew that she was still grieving. He would often catch her on the verge of tears only to see her wipe them away before offering him an empty smile. Ichigo hated to see her like that, but there truly wasn't anything more that he could do for Taylor.

Still, she was better than she had been. The first week had been, for lack of a better word, rough. Taylor had been in a grief-induced daze for most of it, spending her time crying in her room at Urahara's and refusing to eat. Ichigo had spent as much time as he could with her then, knowing that beyond providing physical comfort there wasn't much else he could do to ease the pain.

Taylor had begun to recover a bit during the second week as their other friends began to visit too, despite Taylor's adamant pleas that Ichigo not tell them about her mother's death. Ichigo had ignored her, however, and he was very glad he did. Orihime had started visiting everyday after he had told her about it and Ichigo was certain that Taylor would not have come as far as she had without Orihime's ever-optimistic presence. She actually started to smile and laugh again a bit.

But then school started again. Taylor wasn't ready to go back, so she willingly stayed at Urahara's, but without Ichigo or Orihime around she began to backslide. So when Taylor told Ichigo that she wanted to go to school this week he hadn't protested. But he was still worried about her. She had shut down somewhat over the last week, closing her emotions off from Ichigo and everyone else around her. Ichigo was sure she was doing it so she wouldn't worry anyone, but it only made him worry more because he wasn't sure that she could handle her grief and her guilt by herself.

Taylor's guilty feelings were what worried Ichigo the most. Taylor's mother had died from alcohol poisoning two days after Taylor and Rukia had been captured and taken to the Soul Society. While there was absolutely nothing that Taylor could have done, she was convinced that if she had been in the World of the Living that her mother wouldn't have died. Ichigo knew the slippery slope of blaming yourself for a loved one's death very well and he was concerned that Taylor would never stop beating herself up about it and would therefore never fully finish grieving. And then there was the whole thing about Taylor storming out and telling her mother that she hated her on the night she was captured. As for that, well, Ichigo could only offer his comfort and support, trying to assure Taylor that her mother knew that she didn't really mean it.

Ichigo sighed silently as they entered the grounds of the school, Taylor's back rigid and her head held high. She was fighting so hard to hide how much sadness she still felt. She wanted to be strong so everyone would stop worrying about her. Ichigo wished that she'd remember that she didn't need to hide it from him and their friends.

While Taylor had been in the lead since they entered the school grounds she began to slow down as they approached the door to their classroom. Coming up beside her Ichigo saw the little line of worry that creased her eyebrows through her façade of calm.

"Taylor," Ichigo began again, still not sure that she should really be going back to school yet.

"I'm fine, Ichigo," she interrupted him curtly. But then she let out a long breath and looked up at him with a small smile. "I can do this. Really," she assured him quietly.

Ichigo examined Taylor's smile carefully. For the first time in several days she had completely dropped the wall that she had put up between her and the rest of the world. Sadness, worry, and nervousness were all there in her eyes, but her smile was genuine. It seemed that she was finally at a place where she could handle this. She was ready.

Ichigo found himself smiling softly back as his heart swelled in his chest. He knew better than anyone how hard this was for her. And he would always cheer her no matter how long she had to keep fighting. "Ok."

Taylor then turned away, looking determined, and stepped forward to slide the door open. Ichigo was alarmed, as she froze in the doorway her back stiff. Beyond her, inside the room, all the chatter quickly died leaving a suffocating silence. Coming up behind her, Ichigo gave the now silent and staring room his best 'What the hell are you looking at?' glare. The tension in the air grew taunt for several moments before Orihime stood up, waved, and called out to Taylor, "Hi Taylor!"

As quickly as it had come the tension was gone, the atmosphere in the room relaxing. Following Taylor inside as she made her way towards Orihime, Ichigo shook his head. It was silly, really, for everyone to be so weird about Taylor coming back to school. He and their other friends had told everyone that the reason Taylor had missed the first week of school was because she was sick. There were rumors to the contrary of course, and Taylor had been most nervous about someone finding out that the real reason was that her mother had died. Ichigo knew that the last thing Taylor wanted was the pity of her classmates and teachers.

Ichigo felt relieved watching Taylor interact with Orihime and the other girls in the class. While it was definitely clear that she wasn't ok, Orihime was helping her along. And she was finally smiling again, even if it wasn't a full one. But Ichigo knew that Taylor was strong. She could get through this. And he and Orihime and everyone else would be there for the times when she needed a little help.

…

I sit down at an open desk next to Ichigo as Ms. Ochi comes into the room and slams her books down on her desk. This is what I wanted- what I needed- when I told Ichigo I was going back to school yesterday. Normalcy. I have just lived through the worst four weeks of my entire life and staying cooped up at Urahara's while everyone else was back at school was slowly driving me insane. I feel so much better being with Ichigo and everyone else again.

And while I'm not really ok, I am…better. The pain of my mother's death is still raw, but it's much easier for me to push it to the back of my mind now. As long as I don't think too much about it I should be able to make it through the day without a breakdown. Or that's what I keep telling myself anyways.

As the class settles Ms. Ochi spots me. "Oh, Taylor! Welcome back!" I nod back at her politely. "It's the perfect day for you to come back too! Everyone, we have a new student!" Ms. Ochi calls, walking over to the door at the front of the classroom and sliding it open. She says something to someone out in the hall and then steps back.

I focused my eyes on my desk after Ms. Ochi's acknowledgement, not wanting to attract attention, but as people begin to whisper around me I can't stop myself from looking up at the new student. As soon as I see him I freeze, shock causing me to inhale sharply. Straight blonde hair now cut short. Calculating brown eyes. That Cheshire grin. I recognize him instantly despite the fact that nearly all of Wakana's memories have faded by now. Shinji Hirako.

Ichigo must have heard my gasp because he throws me a quizzical look before facing forwards again. Up at the front of the room Shinji is writing his name- backwards- on the chalkboard.

*"Shinji Hirako," he says as he finishes, turning around and bowing to the class. "Nice to meet you."

"Um, thank you Shinji. It's backwards," Ms. Ochi says, sounding perplexed.

"Pretty good huh? One of my talents is reversing things."* I can't help but snort lightly at that. No shit- that's the power of his zanpakuto.

I begin to zone at as Ms. Ochi asks Shinji to talk about himself. My initial shock has turned to wary curiosity and low-level alarm. What the hell is Shinji doing here? Could it have something to do with me? Have the other Vizards discovered that Wakana unintentionally gave her powers to me? I experience a brief moment of panic before I mentally slap myself. That's stupid. If they know I had Wakana's powers then I'm sure they know that they're gone too. So what could it possibly be?

That's when I remember what happened in the Soul Society. That horribly familiar spiritual pressure that Ichigo released as he was fighting Byakuya Kuchiki. My eyes go wide as I turn to look at Ichigo. He is completely zoned out, his gaze fixed and unfocused on Uryuu's back. I've somehow managed to forget all about it until now, but could it be that Ichigo has an inner Hollow? That he's becoming a Vizard? I hope not. For his sake, I really hope not.

**"I guess we're neighbors. Hope we can be friends, Ichigo." Ichigo and I both jump, snapped out of our respective thoughts, as Shinji pulls out the chair of the empty desk on Ichigo's other side.

"Huh? Oh…" Ichigo responds. "Nice to-!" We both jump again as Ichigo's Substitute Soul Reaper Badge begins to howl, interrupting him. Even though it has gone off several times while he was visiting me since we came back it still scares the crap out of me every time.

Ichigo stands hurriedly and races for the door, shouting something to Ms. Ochi about needing to go to the bathroom. I stare after him wistfully for a moment, wishing that I still had my powers and could go with him before reminding myself that he'll be fine and that I don't need to worry.

Chad, who is sitting in the seat behind Ichigo's looks at Shinji and speaks. "Don't take it personal. That's just Ichigo."

"Oh! I don't mind," Shinji responds, waving a hand in dismissal. "He's exactly how I imagined."**

A small shiver runs down my spine at Shinji's words, something in his tone sounding ominous. I try to catch his eye as he sits but he ignores me. Worry begins to grow in the pit of my stomach as Ms. Ochi starts her lesson. Something big feels like it's about to go down. Even without my powers I can still sense the impending storm.

…

Ichigo returned just fine like I knew he would from taking care of the Hollow and the rest of the day passed uneventfully. I feel much more like myself now than I did this morning even. It's nice to finally feel like my life is getting back to normal. But my worry about Shinji's presence hasn't abated, however. So when I spot him walking out the school gate, bag hanging over his shoulder and whistling what sounds suspiciously like a jazz tune, I give in to the impulse and chase after him.

"Taylor?"

I pause and look back at Ichigo, who is scowling at me with confusion and concern in his eyes. "Don't worry," I tell him, managing a smile. "I'll be right back. There's just something a need to take care of."

"Wait! Taylor!" he calls after me again, but this time I ignore him and run out of the school gates. I look right and left and spot Shnji just as he turns the corner at the end of the street to my right. I sprint down to the corner, but by the time I've turned it he's gone.

Damn it. What the hell is he up to? Grinding my teeth together I force myself to calm down. I may not have my powers anymore, but I can still find him I bet. I begin to expand my senses searching for some trace of Shinji's spiritual pressure. But it's an effort. My abilities are already weakened by the loss of my powers and I haven't used them at all over the past few weeks so I'm kind of rusty.

Finally, after several long minutes, I find him. He's only a few streets away and moving slowly. Frustrated at my own limitations- only a month ago it would have taken me less than a second to find him- I give chase again. I finally catch him at the base of one of Karakura's ubiquitous staircases.

"Shinji!"

He turns, slowly, his expression quickly morphing from lackadaisical curiosity to not quite genuine delight. "Taylor! …It is Taylor right? From my new class! Hello!"

I pause a few feet from Shinji to catch my breath, fixing him with a glare. He responds with a carefree grin. "What are you doing here?" I finally ask him.

"What am I doing here?" he repeats, pointing at himself and blinking at me in confusion. "Why I'm walking home from class, of course."

My scowl darkens. "Ok, fine. What're you doing at the school?"

Shinji cocks his head, his expression looking even more confused. "Attending classes. I'm supposed to be in school right?"

"That's not what I meant," I growl. Jeez this guy is starting to piss me off. "Why have you come to Karakura? Does it have something to do with Ichigo?"

Shinji cocks his head to the other side and though his expression doesn't change something about him suddenly makes me nervous. "You know, it sounds almost like you know me Taylor. But I'm pretty sure that's not possible as I don't think I've ever met you before today. So…" Shinji suddenly takes a step forward, his eyes narrowing at me as his grin falls. I instinctively take a step back in response to the menacing aura that Shinji is now giving off. "I suggest you stay out of business that isn't yours."

Shinji holds my gaze for a second before abruptly turning away. He glances back over his shoulder at me, throwing me another of his Cheshire grins. "See you at school tomorrow, Taylor!" he calls cheerfully, before disappearing in one quick flash step.

I'm left gaping as Shinji's presence moves out of my sensory range. What the hell was that? Obviously he knows something about me if he just took off in flash step like it was no big deal. And while he didn't actually tell me anything I feel more convinced now than ever that Shinji's sudden appearance in Karakura has something to do with Ichigo. And I'd bet that the rest of the Vizards aren't far behind either.

Damn it! Something big is definitely coming and there won't be anything I can do to stop it! I can't even protect Ichigo now…just like…just like… I vigorously scrub the back of my hand across my eyes, wiping away the tears I can feel forming. I can't think about her right now or I'm going to lose it…

Feeling morose I turn around and head back towards the school.

…

Ichigo quickly grew irritated, even as he worried, as he waited for Taylor to come back. Why the hell did she run off? He had no idea. She was already emotionally fragile not matter how hard she tried to hide it and Ichigo took her sudden desire to run off as a sign that something was wrong. As the minutes dragged on Ichigo began to fret, pacing back and forth in front of the gate to the school as he muttered curses under his breath.

Finally he spotted her turning around the corner down at the end of the street. Relief surged through him as he took off towards her. "Taylor!"

Taylor looked up as Ichigo slowed to a stop in front of her. Ichigo frowned as he got a look at her face. Her brow was creased in worry and he didn't miss the flash of trepidation in her eyes before she managed to control it. "Taylor…what was that about?" Ichigo asked her quietly, suddenly feeling anxious.

Taylor blinded him with one of her fake 'everything's ok' smiles that she had developed recently. "Nothing. Don't worry about it Ichigo," she told him casually as she moved around him, heading in the direction of the Urahara Shop.

Ichigo felt another surge of irritation. He understood why Taylor was trying to hide her pain from him even though he didn't think she needed to. But this…as far as he knew this- whatever this was- had nothing to do with her mother. There was something else worrying her and she knew that Ichigo would be more than willing and happy to be her confidant. She didn't need to hide this from him. That she was refusing to confide in Ichigo after everything they had been through hurt him deeply.

"Damn it, Taylor! Tell me what the hell is going on!" Ichigo snapped, his temper getting the better of him. He reached out and grabbed her hand to stop her. He instantly felt remorseful, however, as Taylor stopped cold, her shoulders tense.

Ichigo had just opened his mouth to apologize when Taylor interrupted him, her voice cold. "I already told you that it was nothing Ichigo. It's late. I'm going home."

Ichigo dropped Taylor's hand as if he had been burned. She hadn't spoken to him with such a harsh tone since they had first met. He was baffled and wounded that she didn't seem to trust him anymore- it felt like a Menos Grande had just kicked him in the stomach or something. Ichigo was unable to follow Taylor for a moment until he shook off his shock. When he caught up with her, Taylor didn't look at him and Ichigo couldn't help but feel like something between them had just broken.

Somewhere, in the back of Ichigo's mind, a voice laughed.

…

I sit on the porch of the Urahara Shop gazing at the moon as anxiety gnaws at my insides. What the hell is Shinji doing here? Does it really have something to do with Ichigo? And if it does…what am I going to do about it?

I shiver slightly as Wakana's faint memories drift across my consciousness. It's true that most of her memories are gone now, but the most emotionally charged ones have been the slowest to fade. The night of Aizen's experiment. Leaving the Vizards. And those final weeks where Wakana was slowly losing her mind to the Hollow inside her.

Is Ichigo really going through that right now? I wouldn't be surprised after what happened in the Soul Society. But I really hope not. I don't want to see him have to face that. Wakana's memories are awful. Even though they're not mine I can barely stand remembering them. And if he is…I don't know what I can do to help him.

The door behind me slides open and I glance over my shoulder to see Urahara step out into the moonlight. He turns his contemplative gaze upwards towards the moon as mine has been.

Neither of us says anything, until a massive Hollow's spiritual pressure erupts nearby. With a gasp I am on my feet- reaching for the gikongan, which always used to be in my pocket- before I realize what I am doing. Right. I don't have powers anymore. I don't even have a gikongan. My body goes limp and I flop back down onto the porch. Damn it. Damn it! There's a Hollow nearby and I can't do anything. Another powerful Hollow emerges, setting me even more on edge and reinforcing my own feelings of powerlessness.

After a long moment of silence and growing frustration I ask, "Why didn't you tell me Shinji was here?"

Urahara looks down at me, his face unreadable. "I didn't know he was here."

"But you know now."

"Yes. You can feel their spiritual pressures can't you?"

I nod. It's faint, and difficult to make out over the Hollows' spiritual pressures, but I can just feel Ichigo's and Shinji's spiritual pressures clashing in the distance. There goes any hope I had that Shinji wasn't here for him. "Does that mean that the others are here as well?"

"Probably."

There is the sound of hurried footsteps and the door slides open again revealing Yoruichi in her human form. "Urahara that's…"*** Yoruichi trails off as she spots me.

"I already know," I tell her tersely. "He showed up at school today."

Yoruichi doesn't respond. After another brief moment Urahara turns around and joins Yoruichi inside, closing the door behind him. Undoubtedly they're going to go and discuss what the arrival of the Vizards means and lay out their plans. I'm not invited, but why should I be? I don't have my powers anymore. I can't do anything.

Damn it…I hate this. I may be here this time, but without my powers I'm useless. The people I care about are in danger, facing potential death and/or insanity, and there's nothing I can do to stop it. It's just like how I couldn't save my mom…

My hands curl into trembling fists against the porch as I hunch over, losing the battle against the tears welling up in my eyes as my chest threatens to tear itself apart.

Author's Note

So here's the first chapter of the sequel. Sorry it's so short, but it's kind of an introduction to this little arc. To be honest it was kind of hard to write. I actually had like three pages and then I deleted it and rewrote because I didn't like how it came out. Also I should probably warn everyone that this story is probably going to be more angsty and depressing than The Natural Blonde. Or at least it's supposed to be. I haven't written a lot of angst so far, so I'm sure how it will go. Though it will still ultimately be adventure/romance. Also this story will probably be shorter than the first one. I'm trying to focus more on Taylor and her story in this one than on the Bleach plot, though I will still follow that pretty closely. Though I did mess with the timeline in this chapter. Oh well! That's my artistic license right?

I'm sorry if my portrayal of Taylor's grief wasn't very good. I'm fortunate in that I haven't had anyone really close to me die yet, so I can't honestly say that I don't know how it really feels. However, while Taylor's grief doesn't play that much a role in the story right now, I will be bringing more of it in later. So we'll just have to see how it goes, I guess.

Citations:

Between the * & **- English language version, Vol. 21, Ch. 184, by Viz

*** English language version, Vol. 21, Ch. 185, by Viz

REVIEWS! I love reviews! It's always nice to get feedback and they motivate me to update faster. So if you read, PLEASE REVIEW! Thanks!

Anyways it shouldn't take me too long to get the next chapter up.

Thanks for reading!

imagination junkie