It was 7 years after the fullbring arc. And 5 years since orihime left town in the pretense of going to live with her distant relatives. The truth was she shouldn'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 orihime.

…

"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 looks more mature and most of all strong.

"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 beg but they didn't reject me. In fact they took it really well, my theory is because they'd feel more secure having me with them then later in the 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 bargain, I went on with it I also gave them a condition after they gave me theirs, the terms 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, I'm lucky to be alive.

The second condition was to live the life of a true soul reaper, they Head captain Yamamoto said I have the luxury to keep my memories as a human but I don't have the luxury to act like a human. I am totally fine with all the terms. My conditions 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 reason 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 in the stadium" Orihime said trying to change the topic

"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, I can't wait for the kids to meet 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."

"And you are totally sure you don't want to know how his life is now?"

"I'm sure. Its getting late. I should head back to the soul society before my lieutenant starts nagging at me". Orihime said sipping her tea.

"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"

"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 ?"

"Yes captain. There actually is. The head captain requests your presence."

"Okay. Thank you."

"Captain I'd like to say something" Midori said suddenly looking nervous

"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?"

"Ohh…never mind I'll be on my way now. Maybe we'll have a girls night out one of these days"

"Okay. 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. I only need to speak to the two 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. I could easily send another captain on this mission but I don't want to disrupt their momentary peace 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.

"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'll do it head Captain. Can't run away forever."

"If I may ask head captain what's this mission?" Byakuya asked with his usual plain look.

"Kurotsuchi during a research, found out that in exactly one week from today, there will be a reap in the sky of the world of the living which will eventually lead to the entry of thousands of hollows into the world of the living. 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.

"Hey. Umm know we aren't that close but I do hope we get along" she said.

"Yes. Me too" he said trying not to be as cold, he's had an unspoken respect for her since she became a soul reaper and also because of how strong she's become, he actually secretly fears her.

"Great. I think we could stay in my old apartment in the world of the living. That's after getting our Gigais from Urahara of course. So are we going right now or are we going later on"

"I don't see why we can't proceed now" his stern voice said.

"Ohh. Okay let's go then." She said almost losing the composure a captain should have.

As she lead the way, her swaying hips didn't go unnoticed by Byakuya.

…

"I don't know if you've been here before but this is-" she tried saying to cut the awkward license

"Urahara's shop, I know."

"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 orihime's old home.

….

"Here we are. My old home" she sounded really down uttering those words.

"Ahem…then we should head inside." He said snapping her back to life.

"Yeah sure. She said then the door creaked open due to her opening it. "Its so dusty and dark. I totally forgot it was going to be so dusty. If you'd wait outside I'd clean up. It will be quick" she said

"Its fine. I'll help you clean."

She couldn't hide her shocked expression

"It's either I'm dreaming or you just said you'd help me clean, captain Kuchiki."

"I'm no longer in the soul society and there're no servants to do it so why not and you know you are a captain now and you don't need to call me 'captain anymore."

"I might be a captain but you are still older than I am so I'd still like to give you the respect you deserve"

He just nodded and thought of how much more surprises he was going to receive from her.

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