Author's Note: As requested by my friends Casey525 and crista2311 here is a Shuuhei / Orihime pairing fic to be enjoyed.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach in anyway but am inspired by the work created by Tite Kubo

Suddenly There Was You

By bleachfanficfanatic

Chapter 1

Hisagi Shuuhei grumbled as he poured over the seemingly endless mountains of paperwork littering his desk. Ever since he'd finally accepted the captaincy of the Ninth Division it seemed all he saw was white paper, black ink and red tape.

The wars (winter, Quincy, Zanpakuto, really it had been one long string of death and suffering) had concluded some years ago and a semblance of peace had finally settled upon Soul Society. However, for Shuuhei, peace was a flighty thing. Sleep was not consistent for him as nightmares of all the hell he and his friends had gone through constantly stained his subconscious. He'd often find himself waking up in a panic, covered in sweat reaching for Kazeshini only to realize he was in his bed.

His demonic zanpakuto spirit did little to alleviate the strain he found himself under.

"Again, really? Could I have a weaker, more pathetic excuse for a master?!"

He and Hisagi never really got along. Truthfully the captain was surprised at being able to wield him at all, much less effectively. He'd hoped with further training to remedy that but with captain duties, Shinigami Male Association meetings, editing the Seireitei News Magazine and sorting through new recruits he'd barely had time to be involved in their training much less his own.

"I really need to appoint a lieutenant," he murmured to himself as he continued scribbling what he hoped was a coherent explanation of their most recent mission. While war time had passed for the time being there were still hollows to exterminate and training to accomplish. Their latest mission had been somewhat successful but the amount of injuries was evidence of his squad's lack of skill in the face of much more intense training.

"Then again without a focused leader what else could they expect," he thought darkly, snapping his pen in his hand under the strain of his frustrated fingers. Cursing he flung the damaged writing tool aside and snatched another from the interior of his drawer, slamming it shut before continuing his thought. With a long sigh he put the final touches on the report before depositing it into an envelope.

He was just about to ring for one of his subordinates to deliver it when he realized he was stiff from sitting so long. A walk would do him some good to loosen up and clear his head. He stood, stretching his taught muscles, before grabbing the envelope along with a number of others. "If I'm going for a walk anyway, might as well drop off the rest of these," he considered, hoping that seeing some friendly faces would brighten his mood.

Moving at a mediocre pace Shuuhei took a deep breath, deciding that yes, it was a good idea for him to deliver these documents himself. Lately it seemed he spent all his time cooped up in his office or on the training grounds.

Before long he'd reached the door to the captain's office of the Tenth Division. Knocking soundly he announced himself and was given permission to enter by Toushiro.

"Good afternoon Hitsugaya-Taichou," Hisagi uttered respectfully.

Before the white haired prodigy could respond his exuberant lieutenant sprung up from her chair exclaiming, "Shuuhei, where have you been?! We've missed you at our Friday night bar outings!"

"Matsumoto, remember your place and address Hisagi-Taichou appropriately," reprimanded the white haired captain. He'd grown taller in the intervening years and now almost met her eye to eye.

Unaffected by his outburst Rangiku flung her arms around Shuuhei nearly causing him to drop the folders still in his hands.

"Hiya Rangiku," he whispered in her ear and she giggled before pulling back.

"You really should join us, everyone misses you!"

He smiled tiredly. While he appreciated the buxom fukutaichou's efforts to include him now that he was a captain he really didn't have the time to slack off. Shaking his head ruefully he replied, "Sorry, Matsumoto-fukutaichou," with an ironic grin, making sure to use her proper title while in the presence of her uptight captain, "but I simply don't have time. Plus, I'm no longer a lieutenant, so I'm sure the others would not appreciate a captain's presence during their time of relaxation."

Rangiku was momentarily struck dumb as she took in the site of her friend. He looked exhausted, eyes red rimmed and slight bags present, but even still was stunningly handsome. How she wished she could help him take a moment to relax! Maybe even go on a date and at the very least get laid. The poor man probably hadn't had either in decades!

"Oh poo! You're no fun! You know what they say about all work and no play," she teased.

"Yes, it means more gets done," her captain snapped before looking pointedly at her desk filled with tilting piles of paperwork.

She turned, throwing a pout his way before backing off to return to her desk.

"My apologies for the interruption taichou, here are the reports you asked for."

Toushiro accepted the envelope with a nod, "Thank you Hisagi-taichou."

Shuuhei cast a smirk towards Matsumoto before leaving the office. She stared after him, eyes gleaming as she ran through various plots and plans of trying to help the overworked captain get some downtime, or even get down time. The thought made her smirk.

"Whatever you're planning forget about it Matsumoto," muttered her captain, not looking up from his writing.

"I have no idea what you're talking about taichou," she countered.

"Humph," was all he replied. He knew that look in the troublesome woman's eye and despite himself felt sorry for Shuuhei Hisagi.

Said captain had at that moment reached his next destination of the Fourth Division. He was checking on three of his squad members who'd been more heavily injured during their latest mission, hence the reason for the additional paperwork he was carrying.

As he rounded a corner he felt something slam into him. Well, someone, as he heard a startled, "Oh, I'm so sorry!" Looking down his saw burnt orange hair, almost copper in color, before his dark grey eyes locked onto wide light grey ones. Momentarily stunned by the impact both parties stared at each other before the woman on the ground sprung up and then bowed deeply, "Hisagi-taichou, my apologies for running into you. I wasn't looking where I was going and was trying to get to - oh!" she exclaimed shooting back up to a standing position.

"Please excuse me, I'm needed in the east wing, but it was good to see you again taichou," she hurriedly spoke as she ran down the hall.

Shuuhei stood looking after Inoue Orihime as she sped down the corridor and around another corner.

"What is she doing here?" he wondered, continuing on his way to Unohana-taichou's office. Reaching his destination he again knocked and was told to enter, this time by Kotetsu-fukutaichou.

"Hello Hisagi-taichou, what brings you here this afternoon?" Meeting her eyes Shuuhei saw the tiredness he felt reflected there. Isane worked as long and hard as her stoic captain, often to the detriment of her own wellbeing. Hisagi couldn't help but admire her determination to constantly better herself.

"Kotetsu-fukutaichou, here are the documents Uonhana-taichou requested for my members who are being treated. If it is alright I would like to look in on them," he replied handing her the envelopes.

She set them upon her captain's desk then turned to face her former fellow lieutenant, a small smile on her face.

"Of course taichou, please follow me," she replied serenely and walked back out the door he had just entered. They walked in companionable silence before Shuuhei said somewhat awkwardly, "Er, I, um, ran into Inoue Orihime on my way here."

Isane turned her attention to him and smiled again, "Oh really? I knew she'd arrived today but hadn't seen her yet. Do you know where she went?"

"She mentioned being needed in the east wing," he replied, still wondering why the human healer was in Soul Society, notably without her normal companions. Shuuhei was sure he'd have felt Kurosaki's reiatsu by now if he were anywhere near the Seireitei.

Isane's eyes widened slightly, "Oh dear, that is where your subordinates are, come, let us hurry."

They picked up the pace, Shuuhei now more worried about his team members. From what he understood their injuries, while severe, had not been life threatening. He found it odd that Isane would jump to the conclusion that Inoue-san's presence was required because of his team but didn't question her instincts.

As they entered the east wing Orihime had just let down her healing dome from over one of his squad members. The young woman lying in the bed was breathing heavily, a patch of red staining the sheet she was covered with. Orihime was speaking to a Fourth member, explaining that all was well now and the warrior would need to rest.

Turning she stopped her forward progression at the sight of the lieutenant and captain standing in front of her.

"Oh, good afternoon again, Hisagi-taichou. Good afternoon Kotetsu-fukutaichou," she stated with a bow.

"Good afternoon Inoue-san," Isane replied, "I trust all has gone well?"

Orihime rose back to a standing position smiling, "Hai, she should be fully healed by tomorrow."

"What happened?" Shuuhei inquired, still not clear on why Inoue-san was here or why her powers had been necessary for his subordinate.

Turning her attention to him she stammered, "Oh…um…it seemed that…the wound had a…pocket of poison in it and it ruptured. Er…this caused significant damage and bleeding…" she trailed off, not sure how to explain that kido had not been enough to stop it without offending her current company.

Isane smiled gently at her hesitation, "It's ok Inoue-san. We know there is only so much we can do with kido. I'm just thankful you are our ally and were here to assist, thank you." At the conclusion of her statement she bowed. Hisagi hesitated a moment then bowed as well in a show of thanks.

Orihime, of course, flustered and blushed, stammering again, "Oh really…it's nothing…I'm happy to be able to help."

Shuuhei and Isane regained their standing positions and all looked at each other for a moment before the captain spoke again. "Kotetsu-fukutaichou, I'll be taking my leave now and will return tomorrow to check on the progress of my team. Thanks again, Inoue-san," he ended as he walked out of the room. He heard a murmured "you're welcome" from the gentle healer.

By the time Shuuhei returned to his office he realized he'd forgotten to ask what Inoue-san was doing in Soul Society in the first place. Not that it really mattered much to him, he barely knew the girl other than what he'd heard from others or from the little he'd seen her work. Her abilities really were amazing and he agreed with Isane's sentiments about her being on their side. Had she actually turned traitor…he shuddered at the thought.

Going back to his paperwork he tried to push the healer out of his mind but she remained persistently present in his forethoughts. It confused Hisagi but he figured maybe it was just because usually when any or all of the former ryokas were in Soul Society it meant trouble was not far behind. Typically they didn't just stop by for a visit. Then again, with Kyouraku Shunsui as the new captain commander one didn't know what the new standards were.

After another half hour of pondering Shuuhei decided he needed to find out what was going on, if for no other reason than the sake of his own sanity. He felt awkward just asking her outright given they were not on close terms. He could ask Rangiku but he wondered if she even knew the girl was here. Surely when he saw her this morning the busty lieutenant would have mentioned her best human friend visiting? But then again why would she? Frustrated Hisagi decided he would go to the lieutenant bar outing. He felt it the least suspicious opportunity to obtain the information he wanted. Undoubtedly they would either be talking about Inoue-san or perhaps she would be there since she was close with at least Matsumoto and Abarai.

Satisfied with this plan he sent a hell butterfly to Rangiku asking her where they were meeting. She sent one back almost immediately, her shrill excited voice proclaiming her glee that he would be joining them before giving him the location. It was a new archery themed bar called The Quiver. Why that theme he had no idea but at least it was different in a world of swords and kido spells.

The next few hours went by slowly but soon enough it was time for him to be heading out to meet up with his former fellow lieutenants. Admittedly he missed them and figured that even if he did not obtain the information he wanted this odd reason for attending had at least pushed him to reconnect with some of his good friends. He realized with a smirk he owed Inoue-san another thank you.