Don't help a baby bird hatch.

When Orihime was 6 she watched chickens hatch at school. A little brown egg was struggling, the Chicken unable to break free easily while all the others were standing on their own and crying proudly for their mother. Orihime was overflowing with Empathy and she helped peel back the delicate shell until the bird was free.

Later Orihime watched as the other siblings devoured the chicken she helped. Orihime cried for hours, not understanding why she did such a thing. She owned up to her actions, carried the guilt, and let it go with time.

That's the only way such a delicate girl could stay so happy. Orihime knew she wasn't the bravest, smartest, or strongest. The others beat her at everything and she was the underdog. Never once did she win a real fight on her own. She always had help.

But sometimes Orihime wondered why she was so delicate. Did something go wrong along the way? Was she a baby bird that everyone was helping to hatch? They always thought she was weak so she became weak. It was a role chosen for her as soon as they saw her face. Her waist. Her breasts.

It was unfair. Even Tatsuki- who taught her how to stand up for herself- coddled her and protected her. Chad was an ominous presence protecting her at her side. Ishida was a cool presence always watching her back. And Ichigo was loud and brash, always ahead of her and out of reach.

She just wanted them all to be together. In one spot. She wanted to stop moving for once.

"If I was a guy... or if I was a little stronger... I wonder if things would have ended differently. Maybe I wouldn't have been caught. Maybe I wouldn't have to go with them. I'd blast through that mean Ulquiorra and save them all myself. Nobody would have to get hurt. Ichigo wouldn't loose his soul reaper powers. He could have gotten strong enough and their last enemy- Yhwach- would have been defeated before-"

Orihime's fantasy came to an abrupt halt as she choked on her words. A breeze picked up and blew a flurry of cherry blossoms her way. Orihime reached up to hold her hat in place with one hand. Her dress whipped about a bit but since she was seated on a grassy hill nobody would see.

She was alone. On her favorite hill. It was a quick bike ride away and she could oversee most of Karakura town and the rising sun. She used to love mornings.

"Orihime?"

She nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Ishida-kun! I didn't see you there!"

"It's the graduation ceremony today. I figured you would be here, though." The tall Quincy pushed his glasses up. He too was dressed in street clothes and not the normal outfit of a Quincy or a student.

Orihime had quickly stood, looking sheepish. "Has it started?"

Ishida nodded, pushing his glasses up. "It's almost over."

"Oh no! I'm sorry Ishida-kun! I hope you didn't miss it because of me!"

Ishida turned a little red at Orihime's panic. "N-no. I'm not class valedictorian so there's no reason for me to be there."

Orihime frowned at the reminder. All the time they missed thanks to the Winter War and the Thousand Year Blood War had taken a toll on all of their grades.

Sensing her pity, Ishida tensed up. "Stop that. I know you're thinking about the acceptance I lost. But I didn't want to go to Tokyo university anyways. It wouldn't leave enough time to take care of the hollows in this town since Kurosaki kun is going to be in Tokyo. And besides, you lost more with that scholarship-"

He shut up before Orihime's eyes could even widen in comprehension. Then her eyes quickly fell. She tried to mask the sadness with her determination. "We should at least meet everyone at the gate. Boy, I sure hope Tatsuki isn't mad at me for missing the ceremony!"

Ishida looked at her gently. "I parked my bike by yours."

They got back to their bikes and rode down the hill, the sun warm on their faces as they ascended. Orihime's hair whipped back in fire or orange and she let out a bubble of laughter so similar to her younger self Ishida snapped his head back to confirm.

Her eyes were closed as she rode down the hill. She didn't hear his complaints for her to not be riding so dangerously. It was like descending from the Soul palace. It was riding with Zaraki when he ran. It was Ishida carrying her above the dome of Los Noches. It was a familiar and warm rush to her.

She somehow made it to the bottom of the hill safely, all the way to the school where she parked her bike in the assigned rack. She whipped the helmet off her head and set it on her bike seat. "How fun! I beat you though Ishida! Slowpoke," She teased.

He didn't look as happy about it but. They made it to the gate and Orihime quickly perked up seeing a tall orange haired man right next to Tatsuki.

"Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime shouted, rushing over with a wave. "You made it for our graduation!"

Those around her regarded her strangely. Only Tatsuki, Chad, and Ishida acted normal.

"Our graduation? Someone decided to not show up," Tasuki scoffed, giving Orihime a frustrated look.

"Yeah what's that about? You two skipped graduation," Ichigo scoffed. "What happened to being number 1 and number 3 in school?"

Ishida narrowed his eyes while Orihime looked away sadly.

Ichigo practically reeled back seeing his words take effect.

Orihime took it upon her to lighten the mood. "Kurosaki-kun, you're just as bad. You missed it too! Well sure Kon is there but..."

She pointed out his Shuhakusho. Ichigo was in soul form.

"Sorry. I just couldn't get enough time to attend school. Everyone's still trying to recover from the war. It's already been half a year but they haven't even done a fraction of the rebuilding. I swear soul society is slow in everything they do," A scowl was on Ichigo's face.

Orihime grinned larger. "It's so great everyone's working so hard! If they need any more help let us know! I've been working out lots with Tatsuki so I'm sure that I can lift lots of stuff!"

For emphasis, she flexed. She was toned but she definitely did not have an abundance of muscle.

"Thanks, Orihime. I'll be back in time to start college. Even if Kon could only get me grades that left me with a crappy school." Ichigo grinned.

She felt like a child again but quickly shoved that feeling down. Even now her legs felt numb and her chest felt heavy. She was even more infatuated with this boy than before. That didn't happen when she saw Kon in his body. Sure she was a little giddy at his handsome face but her knees never went weak like that. It was only for the real Ichigo.

"TCC isn't that bad! They had a ton of convenient degrees," Orihime bit back. "Plus most of us will be together again. Chad-san, Ishida-san, Kurosaki-kun, me, oh and then Tatsuki's school is right across Tokyo. And if we all live close by we'll see each other. It will just be so much fun!"

Orihime's optimism lightened the mood and they agreed. Ichigo disappeared quickly after, followed by Ishida and Chad and then eventually Tasuki left her at her door.

"You know we should look at some rentals for you this week before College starts," Tatsuki had said before leaving. "It's too bad my aunt doesn't have room for one more."

"Oh no, that's okay! It will be so fun to find a really nice place! Maybe I'll get a roommate like they do in the west!"

"Just don't move in with anyone you don't know. Tokyo is different from Karakura town."

"Of course! I'll be extra safe! Well, I'll see you later Tatsuki! We still have a month before college starts in April!"

Orihime stood in the door- grinning and waving her hand all the while. She watched until Tatsuki turned the corner.

Then her hand and her smile dropped quickly and she escaped into her apartment. As soon as she shut the door she slid down against it, back cooled by the wooden frame. It was a cold day for March.

Her arms wrapped around her knees and she pressed her head into her knees. The tiniest of sounds escaped her. Her small shoulders gently shook.

Everyone had helped Orihime hatch. But now she didn't know how to survive. Now that the war was over she didn't know what to do- or where to belong.

Or how to forget.

Tatsuki came by every day to check Orihime's packing progress. Since Orihime was now 18 and had graduated from the university her apartment wouldn't be getting paid for and Orihime didn't have enough money to pay for the place by herself.

"Any progress on the new place? You're wanting to get one more in the heart of Tokyo close to Minato right?"

Orihime nodded her head. "That's right Tatsuki! And I found a really great one. It's in this super tall building by the river. It's on the 25th floor. And the rent is only 80,000 yen for a three bedroom! If I get another roommate I'll have to pay next to nothing!"

Tatsuki looked spectacle. "It's a suspiciously good deal. But what do you mean another roommate? Have you already found one?"

"One!" Orihime grinned. "Chad said he needed a place so I shared this with him! He's agreed to go with me Friday to see it."

"Orihime! Chad's a guy!"

"Yeah but he's CHAD," Orihime emphasized. "He's like my big brother. And I always feel safe when he's nearby so I think it's a good deal."

Tatsuki could;t really put up much of a fight because she too knew chad. He was the biggest gentleman Tatsuki knew and he would make sure Orihime was kept safe. Maybe Orihime would be able to sleep a little easier feeling safer. Tatsuki noticed she seemed to be sad nowadays.

"We don't have a third roommate," Orihime pressed her finger to her lip. "But even split two ways we will only have to pay 40,000 yen each. We figure the third roommate will come along when it's time."

"Well make sure it isn't suspicious. I'm glad Chad's going with you."

"Me too!"

Orihime busied herself with wrapping a strawberry coated coffee mug in a newspaper.

Tatsuki cleared her throat. "So Orihime... Ichigo will be able to come back? When that scary old guy said we might never see Ichigo again I got pretty concerned."

Orihime nodded. "They put some extra seals on him. He has to go back every so often to get them readjusted but he's allowed to at least try to live out his life here. Thought it kinda feels pointless now..."

"Pointless?"

Orihime started at what she was saying. She'd been lost in self-pity over how short and fleeting and useless she knew her life was in the scheme of things. "Ah, I just mean he must be really bored now!"

"Yeah." Tatsuki pondered. "Maybe now he can settle down and be a normal boy."

"How do you be normal after saving the world twice?"

"Well he can meet a girl maybe. Start his own family and stuff. Maybe he'd just hook up with a soul reaper."

Orihime dropped the mug she was wrapping. It bounced harmlessly on the ground in its newspaper shell. "S-sorry!"

Tatsuki raised an eyebrow. "That was a suspicious reaction. You still like Ichigo after these 3 years?"

Red as can be, Orihime rejected the possibility. "O-of course not. I mean Kurosaki-kun is so amazing and strong I think everyone should like him. He's like a big hero. Everyone should like him like that!"

"You're not making any sense at all," Tatsuki rolled her eyes. "I'll take that for a yes, though."

Orihime didn't deny her a second time. "Don't tell him."

"I wouldn't. But I think you should."

"No," Orihime shook her head. "He deserves his own queen. Because he's just like a handsome king." She covered her meaning with a hint of fantasy.

"But isn't that just you?" Tatsuki teased.

Orihime blushed. "N-no. Oh Tatsuki careful that was my brother's favorite plate," she redirected.

The subject was dropped.

Ichigo was in soul society after the war. He was helping Head captain Kyoraku put the divisions back together. The body count was higher than they initially thought and an estimated 25% of the soul society had perished in the final war.

And Ichigo knew Kyoraku was hit hard by the loss of almost everyone from his generation. Unohana-sempai, Jushirou, Yamamoto. And Ichigo tried to help. He sat across from Kyoraku. A small tray of tea separated them. Kyoraku had a suspiciously large cup that h hadn't refilled with tea since Ichigo arrived.

"How are the humans recovering?"

Ichigo quirked an eyebrow. "What do you mean the war with the quincies was here not in Karakura town this time."

"Ma ma, I mean they took it home with them didn't they Kurosaki-kun?" Kyoraku tilted his head back and drank his tea in a manner to similar to sake. One eye never left Kurosaki.

"None of them were hurt. Inoue-san got a little beat up against Yhwach but she is all healed now. Chad held out against these Quincy statues pretty well. Thanks to Ganju. And hell Uryu somehow showed up to shoot Yhwach without a scratch! I say we were pretty lucky."

But Kyoraku didn't look relieved. "Wound's aren't always physical Kurosaki-kun."

Ichigo didn't understand yet.

"Head captain!" A curt voice cut through the air and invaded their relaxation. "We need to assign the temporary barrack locations for rebuilding. This is no time to be drinking!"

"Nanao-chan," Kyoraku purred lightly. "It's just tea. Some people just don't know how to relax."

Nanao observed Ichigo's cup and then Kyroraku's with a deepening frown.

Whack!

Kyoraku rubbed the back of his head, the clear content in his cup flying out.

"Tea? Do you call that tea? Kurosaki-sama is the only one drinking tea! Now come on," Nanao readjusted her folder- recovering it after smacking him upside the head with it. "The others are waiting."

"Well duty calls. And despite how rushed we are Mayuri-taichou promised to have a seal ready for you before your school event next month. Might as well get that taken care of."

Ichigo stood with him, shivering. "I don't want anything made by that freak!"

"Relax Kurosaki-kun. Even Mayuri understands that you saved us all. He's pretty ashamed that a human bested all of us."

"Still..."

They followed Nanao through blood-stained rubble towards where the captain quarters used to be.

"The offer for a captains position is still there."

Ichigo shook his head quickly. "Kenpachi got a hell of a lot stronger didn't he?"

"Oh yeah," Kyoraku whistled. "I feel sorry for the guy in a way. I don't now if he's going to be able to fight again. I think I get why Unohana-sempai started squad 4 instead. But I can't really imagine Kenpachi as a healer."

"No," Ichigo disputed. "That guy will just say he's going to find someone strong enough to fight. And If I become captain here I'll have to spend the rest of my life in fear of being ambushed by that crazy-."

Kyroraku laughed. "Well, that would provide interest for the rest of us. I think he's taken to harassing Kensei Taichou lately."

"Kensei?" Ichigo scoffed. "Who woulda thought."

"Still no to the captain position?"

"Still a hell no. Besides, there's some stuff to take care of back in the human world. We're all- Chad, Ishida, Orihime and I- going to University in Minato. Hollows might be following us too. It'll be best if you send a higher ranked soul reaper to take care of them."

"Those three can take care of themselves. The guys went up against Sternritters. That Quincy is probably at the level of a captain. And Inoue-chan held herself against Yhwach."

"But they shouldn't have to," Ichigo growled, annoyance twitching in his eyebrow. "They lost their placing in school already."

Seeing Kyoraku's slight confusion Ichigo continued. "I know it doesn't mean much to you guys but imagine if you had a third seat position saved for you when you graduated, then you got roped into saving the world and thanks to that you're not even getting assigned to a squad and all that recognition is gone."

Kyoraku nodded thoughtfully. "It's a pity they had to get pulled into our fight. Especially Inoue-chan. Such a sweet little thing."

Catching Ichigo's gaze, Kyoraku quickly shut up and decided to move the conversation to official matters as they entered the captains old quarters to begin a meeting.

"Just keep an open mind to the offer. We're in need of strong soul reapers right now."

"No can do," Ichigo shot him down with a sincere expression. "I can't let them wait for me too long."

AN

How light and fluffy. This story may have a rating increase. Right now it's more about the character development and mental decline of our favorite healer.

SIDE NOTE:

I'm also looking for a beta reader because I know my, er, fine points might not be the best. Like spelling and grammar. So if anyone has free time let me know pretty please~ I write with pages in icloud so if you have icloud that would be great too! Because then I could just share it as I go.