A/N: Okay this is set in a AU where nobody died and Hueco Mundo never happened. Rukia and Renji came back with the others from soul society after saving Rukia and are attending school with them, while keeping an eye on Ichigo and helping him to get use to his duties. Also in this they are in their final year of high school, so they are about 18-19 years old.
A Christmas party to remember.
Chapter 1
Orihime woke with a pounding headache, wincing against the bright light which was coming through the slightly open curtains from the window of the room she was in. Sitting up in the bed she was in, Orihime blinked and looked around the room while holding her head. Her memory was fuzzy; she however did remember getting very drunk at the Christmas party that Ichigo had agreed to host after some pushing from Rukia.
Everybody from soul society had attended along with their group of friends on earth. She remembered how half way through the party; Ichigo and Renji had turned up dragging a resisting Ishida behind them.
Everyone was in their final year of high school; Ichigo and Rukia were a couple, an unconventional couple but a couple none the less. Orihime smiled like always, but it still hurt, after all the effort she had put into loving Ichigo, but she wasn't the type of person who spoke against others and ruined their happiness. No one had noticed her sorrow and pain which she had been hiding since the pair had got together except Tatsuki and sometimes she thought Ishida was aware of it.
Looking around the room, Orihime knew that this wasn't her bedroom. It wasn't even her house, or anybody's house that she recognized. Her eyes scanned the room, seeing various articles of clothing littering the floor, her outfit from last night's party, and then she froze when she spotted a shirt, a man's shirt with a blue and white cross decorating it, handmade. Then a reflection of sunlight caught her eye, on the bedside table next to her were a pair of wire glasses lying awkwardly on its surface, as if they had been tossed there carelessly.
Orihime's hand rose to her mouth as she added everything together. She may act silly, but she was by no means stupid. She had woken up in a bed, naked, her clothes strewn around in a strange room, she had a hangover, and there was a man's shirt with a design that she had only see one man ever wear.
A movement and a light rustling from beside her drew her attention. Looking down next to her, her eyes rested on a familiar form, asleep next to her; naked just like her was Ishida Uryuu. A dull ache in her lower body informed her of what they had obviously done.
Stressing and suddenly scared Orihime got out of the bed as quietly as possible quickly dressed and then ran.
Once safely home in her house, she broke into tears. She couldn't believe how reckless she had been and just how unfair it was for her to have done what she did to Ishida. She was a horrible person. Always a burden to everyone, her friends, her brother….everyone.
Back on the other side of town Ishida Uryuu woke with fuzzy memories of the previous night. All he remembered was getting dragged to a Christmas party by Arabai and Kurosaki, and he knew he had spent the night loving a passionate woman with a soft gentle touch and soft brown loving eyes, he felt like he knew her and was close to her but he couldn't remember anything else. This was the last time he would ever get drunk with his so called friends.
/-/-/-/
Ichigo frowned as he looked down to the courtyard, it was lunch time and he was waiting for his friends to arrive. Normally he would just start eating but today he was waiting for everyone else because today there were meeting about something important, something that was making them all worry. Alongside him were Chad, Renji, Tatsuki, and Rukia. They were all waiting on Ishida. The door to the roof opened and the last Quincy joined them.
They all sat in a circle and stared at each other. Tatsuki sighed and then asked what was on everybody's mind.
"Right, anybody know what on earth is the matter with Orihime."
Everyone had no idea and that was what was scarring them. Orihime was acting more and more withdrawn and less like herself every day.
"She's really pale, as if she was sick but when I tried to ask her she said she was fine and then scrammed, It's like she's trying to avoid me." Stated Kurosaki angrily, masking his worry with annoyance, but knowing that everyone present saw it for what it was.
"It's not just you Kurosaki, it's all of us. Especially me. She won't even speak to me, if I approach her she leaves as swiftly as she can in another direction." Stated Ishida.
"So what do we do?" asked Rukia.
"I think she's sick. I saw her leaving the hospital this weekend with a bag of medicine and pamphlets. She looked like she had been crying." Said Chad.
"But why would she avoid us if she was sick, we are her friends, and if she was sick wouldn't she trust us enough to tell us. Besides she can't have been sick since New Year! She's been avoiding us more and more since the Christmas party. It's now March! It's been 3 months, after all we've been through can't she trust us!" Tatsuki exclaimed looking upset.
Renji was about to say something when he jumped up and started to run downstairs.
"Renji what?" called Rukia.
"Orihime's collapsed in the courtyard" he yelled back, and everyone was on his heels in a flash.
They burst into the courtyard, and sprinted towards Orihime's collapsed form, the four boys reached her first.
Ishida and Kurosaki fell to their knees both calling her name, while Chad and Renji hovered above them.
"We need to get her to the infirmary. Now guys! Chad you're the fastest, take her and go!" ordered Rukia.
Chad nodded and quickly swept Orihime's unconscious form into his arms and took off in a full sprint with her to the infirmary, the others sprinting after him.
/-/-/
They all stared at the closed door of the infirmary where the nurse was looking at Orihime. The nurse had taken Orihime, and then had shooed them all out of the room.
In the corridor, Ichigo Renji and Tatsuki were pacing; while the others were leaning against the wall and fidgeting nervously.
Everyone froze then jumped to attention when the nurse exited the infirmary.
"How is she? Is she okay? What's wrong with her?" demanded Ichigo immediately before anyone could speak.
"Calm down, all of you. Inoue is fine, just slightly tired." Answered the nurse. Seeing that they were starting to protest she spoke again this time with an apologetic smile on her face.
"Sorry, I can't tell you more than that without betraying Inoue's trust, she doesn't want you to know. But I caution you to just trust her, she's a smart girl, she'll tell you when she wants to."
"Can we see her?... please?" asked Ishida, worry contorting his usually calm facade.
"Sorry no, she's resting and doesn't want to be disturbed. Now hurry up, if you don't get going you'll all be late for class, Go!" with that they all reluctantly left for class.
The nurse watched them go before turning and re-entering the infirmary.
"Are you sure you don't want to tell them. They are all very worried about you. This isn't a bad thing Inoue it happens all the time; this is something that should bring joy to you no matter how young. I know you'll be fine. These things happen. But you know they'll be upset if you don't tell them yourself." asked the nurse to the sullen red head who had been listening since the moment she had shut the door.
Orihime shook her head. The nurse sighed but decided not to push her. With a last smile she left Orihime alone to go see the headmaster to tell him that Orihime was going home for the day since she wasn't well.
Once the door to the infirmary shut behind the nurse, Orihime's hairpin glowed and Tsubaki popped out. He floated in front of Orihime for a few seconds, glaring at her before landing in her outstretched palm.
"Oi woman I ain't happy with this!" he yelled scowling at her. When no answer was forthcoming, he sighed sadly and spoke to her again, this time more gently.
" Why don't you trust them, You don't have to do this alone you know. I don't like this idea at all not one bit and nor do the others. Can't you trust them? They would look after you. "
"No Tsubaki, I won't change my mind. We are going to do what I've got planned. I can't be a burden anymore, to anyone, not anymore. Never again"
Tsubaki sighed before answering her." Fine we'll go along with this but we are still gonna nag you to hell woman this is stupid and dangerous. Anyway where the hell is the place you were talking about. And when are we going?".
"You'll see when we arrive" said Orihime sadly. "As for when, now."
"WHAT NOW!" yelled Tsubaki.
Orihime nodded before explaining "We need to leave before school breaks up, they we go straight to my place when school is over. I know them. Hurry get back in my hairpin." Tsubaki glared one last time before complying.
Standing quickly, Orihime grabbed her bag and belongings and swiftly left the infirmary. At the school gates she turned one last time and looked up to where she knew her classmates were.
'Maybe one day I'll be strong enough to come back here again, maybe we will come back one day. I hope they all forgive me eventually.' she thought, her hand straying to her stomach where a small bump could be felt but not seen.
With that Orihime turned and walked briskly away from the school without looking back.
/-/-/
Orihime's door shook heavily in its frame, and frankly Ishida was surprised it held up against Kurosaki's pounding fists. All six of them had rushed to Orihime's flat as soon as school had finished. The lights were off, and it was quiet. They were all waiting impatiently for Orihime to open the door.
"Orihime! Open up" yelled Ichigo.
When no answer came he tried banging on the door again.
"Idiot! Have you tried the door?" scolded Rukia.
"She wouldn't leave the door unlocked. Never!" exclaimed Tatsuki in protest.
Rengi ignored the two glaring females and simply grabbed the doorknob and twisted it.
The door swung open with no resistance. Stunned into silence, they all made their way into the silent flat.
Ishida froze in the entrance to her bedroom. There hanging harmlessly on the outside of the wardrobe was a light blue silk dress. The dress Orihime had worn to the Christmas party 3 months ago.
At the sight of that dress, it was as if a dam broke in Ishida's mind, previously forgotten memories came flooding to the surface of his mind.
His heart beat quickened; his breathing became laboured as he remembered.
He remembered the dress, he remembered gently removing it from Orihime, he remembered lowering her down gently onto his bed. He remembered making love to her. He could remember every second of it.
His eyes flew to Tatsuki as she appeared behind him. Ishida turned to face her, there were tears running down her face and everyone was waiting for her to say something.
"The shrine's gone. Orihime's gone."
Ichigo was the first to react. "Lets' go find her then!" and with that he was gone, with everyone on his heels.
As they all split up, Ishida swore on his pride as a Quincy:
'I will find you Orihime.'
/-/-/-/-/
A/N: Okay so this is my first Bleach fic so I am sorry if there are any mistakes. This is planning to be a two shot the next chapter should be up soon. Constructive criticism is welcome. Flames will be deleted. I hope you enjoy! Please let me know.
Ja ne.