It has been a little over a month since Ichigo has regained his powers. Ever since then, things have returned to what he considers normal. Flying around the city and slaying hollows. Right now, Orihime was gathering her things together and left her apartment for school. She was on her way when she looked up and saw Ichigo.

"Hi Ichigo!" Orihime called out. Ichigo looked down and spotted her.

"Oh, morning Orihime." Ichigo said.

"Is there a hollow, do you need some help?" Orihime said.

"No. I just got done with one and I'm heading over to home to get my body. I'll see you at school." Ichigo said and took off.

"I'm glad Ichigo is back to his normal self." Orihime said as she kept walking. She was happy for Ichigo. He's no longer feeling upset about not being able to help his friends. "A lot has happened so quickly after the battle with Aizen. I think maybe I should considering telling him how I feel." Right when she said that, she began to feel her heart beat. "What am I saying? He might not even feel the same and I don't want to lose him as a friend."

…

The School

Everyone arrived at the school. It was a free period and Ichigo was hanging on the roof as he stared out to the city.

"There you are." He saw Uryu coming up and stood right next to him.

"Hey Uryu. Is there something wrong?" Ichigo said.

"No, just came to enjoy the view and get some fresh air." Uryu said as he adjusted his glasses. "I sensed that there was a hollow attack earlier."

"Yeah, but I took care of it. I also ran into Orihime along the way." Ichigo said.

"You know, I've been meaning to talk to you about Orihime." Uryu said.

"What about her?" Ichigo said.

"What are your feelings towards her?" Uryu said.

"What do you mean? She's a good friend." Ichigo said.

"I mean do you like her as more than a friend." Uryu said.

"What?!" Ichigo said with a raised voice.

"Surely you must have a general idea on how she feels. She tries to hide it, but has a hard time doing it." Uryu said. "She deserves an answer. I think that you should talk to her about it." However, he noticed that Ichigo didn't seem to be paying attention. "Are you even listening to me?!"

"No. I sense a strange spiritual pressure. Just feel around and you'll see it." Ichigo said. Uryu focused and he was able to sense it as well.

"You're right, it's peculiar. It feels like it could be a soul reaper, but at the same time it doesn't." Uryu said.

"You think we should be concerned." Ichigo said.

"I'm not sure. It doesn't feel like a threat, but it's just too strange." Uryu said. "I say we should just keep our eyes open for anything suspicious."

…..

Orihime

After school, Orihime was with Tatsuki and Chad. All three of them walked through the park and were enjoying the nice sunny day.

"Thanks for walking us to the bakery, Chad." Orihime said.

"Yeah, but you really didn't have to. I had a day off from work and I can take Orihime myself." Tatsuki said.

"I was going to head that way anyway, I need to stock up on bread. Orihime, is there something that's bothering you?" Chad said.

"No, why?" Orihime said.

"There did seem to be something bothering you." Tatsuki said. "Does it have something to do with Ichigo?" Tatsuki snickered and Orihime was beginning to grow nervous.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Orihime said.

"Hold up for a minute." Chad said as he came to a stop and both of them turned to look at them.

"Is something wrong?" Tatsuki said.

"Tatsuki, you've gained the ability to sense other spiritual presences. Do both of you sense anything weird?" Chad said.

"Actually yeah." Orihime said as both of them began to sense spiritual energy that they never felt before. "It feels like its close too."

"Is it one of those monsters? What do you call them, hollows?" Tatsuki said.

"No, it doesn't feel like it." Chad said.

"It looks like we're find out."

"It is rather strange that they can sense our spiritual pressure. It would seem that these aren't average humans."

"Where did you get that idea?"

"Who's there? Show yourself!" Tatsuki called out. They heard footsteps and saw two guys come up to them.

"What do you think, Makin?" One said with brown hair, parts in spikes. He wore a black leather jacket, black sleeveless shirt, torn up jeans that had a chain for a belt with black boots, and carried a katana.

"I'm not sure, Hayne. This is the first time we've met people like this." The other had dark blue hair. He wore a red shirt with a spiral pattern and a black cape over it with the inside white. He had black pants that had a white sash around his waist and held a katana as well.

"Who are you?" Chad said.

"What should we do with them?" Hayne said.

"Just leave them. They have nothing to do with why we are here." Makin said.

"Oh, come on. Don't you want to at least ask one of those girls out? One of them is a total hottie." Hayne said.

"Look out!" Makin said. They saw a wave of energy come right at them and they jumped right out of the way and saw Chad with his fullbring.

"Don't you think that was a little much Chad?" Tatsuki said.

"These two aren't normal humans." Chad said. "I don't know who they are, but we can't let these guys getaway."

"Now what do you think?" Hayne said.

"Perhaps the big one is a problem. Hayne, get him out of the way." Makin said. Hayne grinned and pulled out his sword. He went to attack, but was blocked by a shield.

"What? Where the hell did this come from?" Hayne said and Makin spotted Orihime as the source.

"That was you're doing." Makin said. "It would seem that both of them have special abilities. I guess we'll have to eliminate both of them." He pulled out his sword and went to attack, but Tatsuki pushed Orihime out of the way.

"Nice. We do get to have some fun. Any chance you want to switch Makin? I do want to play a little with the girls." Hayne said.

"You have a sick and twisted mind." Makin said.

"Don't tell me that you don't want to do something other than fighting with the beauty." Hayne said.

"Orihime, keep your shield up and ready." Chad said.

"Got it." Orihime said.

"Just who are these guys?" Tatsuki said.

"I sense the third isn't as strong as the other two. Keep your focus on the two that shown their abilities." Makin said.

"Got it." Hayne said and was about to attack.

"Not this time. Tsubaki! Koten Zanshun!" Orihime said and launched Tsubaki straight at him. He held up his sword and was able to block it.

"What kind of power do these two possess?" Hayne said.

"El Directo!" Chad launched his blast of energy from his fist, but the both of them was able to dive out of the way. Hayne managed to get behind Chad and sliced him across the back.

"Chad!" Orihime shouted in concern.

"You're next!" Hayne said as he headed for the girls

"Orihime, look out!" Tatsuki warned and Orihime saw Hayne going straight towards her, but before he reached her, someone blocked his attack and tossed him back. It showed that both Uryu and Ichigo arrived.

"Are you guys alright?" Ichigo said.

"Ichigo, Uryu!" Orihime said.

"We should have investigated when we had the chance. Looks like we found the source of the strange spiritual pressure." Uryu said. "When we sensed you guys were in trouble, we got here as fast as we could."

"Hey Makin, do you see what I see?" Hayne said as he was getting thrilled.

"Yes, a soul reaper." Makin said.

"I'm no ordinary soul reaper. I'm Ichigo Kurosaki, substitute soul reaper."

"Substitute, you mean you're not a real thing?" Makin said.

"That doesn't matter. Things are now interesting. Since there's a soul reaper now, we can't afford to hold back." Hayne said and held up his katana. "Slice through the air. Shureddā! (shredder)" His sword changed and that surprised them. A chain grew out of the hilt with a dagger edge and the blade of his sword expanded a little with four spikes coming out of the guard.

"No way. Those swords are zanpakutō!" Ichigo said. "Who are you guys? Are you soul reapers?"

"Hell no. In fact, we want to destroy all soul reapers." Hayne said.

To Be Continued…