AN/ lulucute had a good idea. If she ever writes the fanfic for her idea, I will gladly take this one down. But, for now, I hope you enjoy. Her stories are pretty good, btw, go check 'em out. Possible spoilers for manga to 405 (and beyond, since I'm still writing). Untold spolierz for anime. Orihime is less of a pansy in this fic. I can't stand pansy girls.

Then why didn't you take her the minute you saw her and run away from here? Did it relax you to see her unhurt? I bet you didn't even wonder what was going on inside her! - Grimmjow

Apperception

I didn't feel anything different. With Uryuu transfixed with Ichigo's sword, my stomach was clenched tight, and my heart heavy. Even after I told Ichigo to finish the fight, and leave me with the injured Quincy, I didn't feel any different. Maybe relieved, a little. Ichigo's hollowfication is still causing me discomfort.

I had counted on the spiritual distance of the Living World and Hueco Mundo to protect us from what was happening, and it did. I was able to heal Uryuu while, unknown to me, most of the Captains and Vice-Captains of the Soul Society were having their asses handed to them. Had I been there, I suppose I would have made a positive impact on the wounded. But, Ichigo left me behind again and this time, I agreed with the decision.

I can't really tell you all the minute details of how the war ended. I don't know much of it myself. I wanted nothing more than just to go home, as I told Ulquiorria. I had seen so much more than I should have had to at my age. Fixing Uryuu was what I was doing when I really noticed something different. My body felt unusual for a few moments. Lighter, like I had been sucking helium. The thought of it made me giggle.

"Inoue-san," his voice was quiet and rough, "what's so funny?"

"Ishida-kun! No talking, just rest." I smiled at him, trying to wring all but worry out of my voice. His eyes narrowed, and the almost scowl made me answer him, "It was nothing, I felt a little…odd…a second ago. Did you ever suck helium out of balloons when you were a kid?" he shook his head, and I felt a twinge of sadness for him, "It makes you feel light headed, and makes your voice squeak. I felt a little light headed. I think it must be because Kurasaki-kun and Ulquiorria are gone." I knew I was no longer smiling.

"The spiritual pressure did lessen quite a bit," the young man ground out, "thank you for this, Inoue-san."

"You came to rescue me, but I came to protect you. It's the least I can do, Ishida-kun. Now, if you can, I suggest a nap. This will take a little while, since I have no choice but to fix it all once I start. Unless someone makes me stop. But no one's gonna stop me right now." I turned my head and looked over my shoulder at the desolate scenery before turning my eyes back to Uryuu. His eyes were already closed.

Sinking onto my ankles, I found that I could maintain the small bit of concentration necessary and position for hours that way. I closed my own eyes and just tried to order my head for awhile. Usually, I found this to be slightly annoying. But, today I needed to try and put 'me' back together again. I was no longer the prisoner forced to do things I would rather not. I wanted to be more like Rukia, the strong girl that adversity seemed to only make stronger. At least that's how I have always perceived her. I wanted to eat teriyaki chicken with black bean sauce and chilies. Giving in to temptation, I just decided to cry. Not for Ichigo, or anyone else, but I cried for myself, and it felt pretty damn good. When Shun'o let me know that the healing was over, I smiled gently, and dried my tears with the remaining scraps of my arrancar uniform. I made the decision to never wear all white ever again. Not even when I get married!

I shook Uryuu softly, and he sleepily yawned and opened his eyes before sitting up.

"I feel great, Inoue-san, you're a million times better than that mad scientist." he stood, offering me a hand, which I gratefully took advantage of.

"Speaking of him," I began walking back to the hole we'd come up through, "Can you get us back down there?"

"If it's safe, I'll take you right away."

It wasn't safe. As soon as we'd gotten close enough, we could feel the enormous spiritual pressures fighting. We were so high up, we couldn't see anything, but both Uryuu and I knew the signatures of the people below us. I recognized Yammy right off. His was huge, and I could feel it thrumming. But, I was glad, because we could both recognize Zaraki-san's pressure storming back in the same rhythm.

"Maybe we could stay up here overnight?"

"Hueco Mundo is cold, Inoue-san." his voice was curiously choked sounding.

"We'll snuggle, Ishida-kun. I am so tired, and I know you'll keep me safe up here."

So we slept, I lay close to the heat of his body, and he pulled off his cape and draped it over my upper body before sliding his arm under my head for a pillow. Only later did I blush about it all. That was my first night of freedom in the Hollow World.

We both awoke with a shock some hours later, feeling the unfamiliar (to me) reiatsu of Nemu.

"Ishida-san," she clipped off, "And you would be the human Inoue Orihime?"

"Nemu, how'd you get up here?" Ishida directed to the smartly dressed woman.

"Shunpo can be used in such a manner, as you well know, Ishida-san." She used her right hand to clutch her left arm, "I am fukutaicho of squad twelve, Kurotsuchi Nemu." She bowed slightly, "If it pleases you, Kurotsuchi-taicho is opening the garganta for the last time in just a few minutes. We must depart. And you, Inoue Orihime, are under arrest."

My heart's like an open bookfor the whole world to readSometimes nothing-keeps me togetherAt the seams - Home Sweet Home - Motley Crue

I didn't see much of anything after I was bound hand and foot and stuffed into a wagon load of materials being brought back to the Seireitei for Kurotsuchi-taicho. I heard everything, of course, so I knew that our side had at least won a major victory, if not the whole war. Aizen was still out there, somewhere, and I paled at the thought of him coming back stronger.

Ichigo was being interrogated. No one knew why. Renji and Rukia were being held in detention for willfully disobeying orders. Apparently, this wasn't as bad as it first sounded. They were going be released in a few days. It seems that the ends justify the means in this case. No one cared what Ishida-san had done, apparently.

I felt the atmosphere change once again, and knew we'd entered the Seireitei. A small pink haired Yachiru smiled in at me.

"Hey! Boobie-chan! Ken-chan told me they're taking you to the fourth division for testing. Then you can come play with me again, ok?"

"Right. Thank you, Yachiru-chan." Frankly, the thought of playing with the crazy pinkette was scarier than being taken to the fourth division for 'testing' whatever she meant by that. I sat up, and heard disquieting squishes underneath me. I tried not to think about it too much. The wagon rumbled in for a few minutes, and I sagged against the side. I was starting to understand now, they didn't know that I wasn't a traitor. I could still remember Ichigo sounding surprised when Ulquiorria explained what had happened.

"Inoue-chan," a sweet female voice sounded when the wagon rocked to a stop. A small set of hands drew back the doors, and I blinked in the sudden light. "Hello there. I am Unohana Retsu, Captain of the fourth division. Please come with me, dear."

I lifted my ankles, "My pleasure Unohana-taicho, but until these are gone…" I shrugged and lifted my hands as well, "I can't really go any where."

Unohana motioned to Nemu, "Nemu, please release the girl to my custody." Nemu bowed again, and said a few words to release the bindings. "Thank you, Nemu. Please tell your father I wish to examine the bodies he's no doubt found."

"Yes, Unohana-taicho."

The stunning woman nodded and held out a steadying hand for me, "Welcome to my division, may I call you Orihime-chan?" the woman barely waited for me to nod before continuing through the large double doors. "It's my duty to test you for both physical and mental injuries. I will also be looking for any kind of devices or non-organic compounds that may need to be removed. Don't worry, I spoke with Ichigo-kun earlier, and he has convinced me of your innocence. I've always been a 'until proven guilty' kind of person." She smiled, and led me deeper past the reception and business offices, to what I assumed was the infirmary. "I have been ordered to find someone to question you to report directly to the captain commander. He thinks I may be a little biased." She laughed then, "He's very perceptive." Opening a door, she gently pushed me though and gestured to a door marked 'Examination Room 1' and said, "Just go on in there, and please remove your clothes, and put on the clean robe. I'm bringing back Kyoraku-taicho, he's a friend, and will be directing questions during your exam."

"A man?" I was so embarrassed. I squeaked! "I-I don't think I'll be very comfor.."

She waved a hand, "I am like you when I heal, I don't need nudity like a human doctor. Shunsui-kun is a lot of things, but he would never ever take advantage of you or any other female that didn't want him to. I'm afraid it's either him or Soifon, if you must have a woman. I guarantee, Shunsui-kun would be my choice."

I gulped hard. This day was out of control. I felt that things were just getting more and more crazy, and there was nothing I could do about it. With a sigh, I nodded, and walked in the door. At least this Kyoraku person wouldn't be like Szayel or Nnorita who had stared with abject hunger in their eyes. Szayel who'd asked Aizen if I could be spared for experiments. Nnorita chilled my blood, and I was sure he'd have thrown me against a wall and had his way with me if he hadn't feared Ulquiorria or Aizen finding out. I could still almost taste his fingers in my mouth. I shuddered, and started pulling off my torn and dirty white and black clothes.

Wadding them up, and tossing them into the corner, I put on the soft grey robe, and belted it. I looked around and thought about how much I wanted a bath. Not an exam, not a questioning, but a bath. Or maybe a chance to talk to Rangiku. I miss her at times like this. She's smart, confident, and always seemed to know what to say to make me feel better. With another heavy sigh, I plopped down on the bed. Just like in the Living World, doctors are always hurry up and wait.

The quiet of the exam room worked wonders on my frazzled nerves. I woke from the cat nap due to a knock on the door and a male voice, "I hope you're dressed, young lady!"

I giggled, "Yes, come in." I watched a well built man wearing an outrageously pink kimono that flowed behind him step into the room. His hair was long and brown with a curly wave, held back with what reminded me of a scrunchie. He made me smile. Instinctively, I liked and wanted to trust him. He slouched on the bench that decorated the left side of the room.

"My name is Kyoraku Shunsui, pleased to meet such a lovely young lady. I have some questions for you, if you don't mind."

"No, I mean, yes, that's fine, Unohana-taicho mentioned you'd be coming in."

He laughed, and it was quiet and dignified sounding, "She'll be here soon, she's tending to my friend who was gravely injured in the battle." His eyes were suddenly sad looking, and I wanted to erase the look.

"When we're done here, I can take a look at him."

"You're the girl who can heal?" His brown eyes locked onto my face, "He's pretty bad off. His backbone was broken, and a hole punched all the way though his torso. His lungs were already bad, but now…I fear for his life."

I gave him my most sincere smile, "I've healed worse. I am sure that you and he can be drinking by tonight."

The door opened and closed again as the dignified captain entered the room, "He'll keep for now, although I'll be glad for your help with Juushiro after we're done here." She gave me a warm smile, "Go ahead and lie down, I'm ready to start. Shunsui, let's get it over with, shall we?"

I lay back on the gurney, and watched at the captain's hands glow softly with a green light. "Orihime-chan, I'm going to touch you in various places, please tell me if you feel any pain, even anything you might call discomfort. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem." She started, and Shunsui asked questions. How was I kept? Did I remember meeting Aizen? Things along those lines. I answered him as fully as I could. I certainly wanted them to catch the madman known as Aizen. Retsu slowly touched what I know to be my pressure points. The questions and exam were almost over. Retsu hadn't caused even the slightest twinge until her hands alit on my uterus.

"Mmm. That feels weird." Yes, I am a master of speech.

Shunsui was quiet as Restu probed harder, "It hurts? You're not currently or about to start your time are you?"

"No," I said blushing for the male presence in the room.

"Shunsui, do you mind waiting outside for a minute?" Retsu's brow was knotted.

"Sure, see you in a minute, Orihime-chan."

Suddenly, I knew what she was thinking, "I'm a virgin, Unohana-taicho."

"Aizen," a great whoosh of air escaped the woman, "His zanpakuto allows for perfect hypnosis. Did he ever draw it in your presence?"

"No, but if it can hypnotize me, then I might not even remember, but wouldn't I know even if I was made to forget if someone had taken my virginity?"

"It's possible that you wouldn't know at all, dear. I am going to give you a pregnancy test, just to be sure. If that turns up nothing, you may have some sort of implant left behind. Notice any odd scars?"

"No, but I've heard that human doctors can insert stuff though the belly button, and that doesn't leave a scar." I was worried. Make that terrified. My eyes filled up, and I felt a tear slide down my cheek.

"My dear girl, it'll be ok. We can help you no matter what. Baby or device, they can be dealt with."

Now I was crying in earnest. She was going to deal with my baby? I was overreacting, even if it was just in my mind. "Ok," I croaked, "let's get a test."

She patted my hair, "You seem stressed, Orihime. May I put you to sleep while I run the tests?" I nodded mutely. "All right." her hands came up, and one pressed against my forehead. "Bakudo number two, Nemuri." My eyelids grew heavy, and soon, I was dead to the world.

AN/ Fingers in mouth? Yep, it happened in 297! I took a look at the Bleach Wiki, and I couldn't find a spell for sleep. I figured it would be a simple one, so since 2 wasn't currently in use, I picked that one. Nemuri means 'sleep'. I didn't make up an incantation, since Retsu is a captain, and a healer, she'd know this spell, and could do a low level spell possibly without even speaking it.