Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, Tite Kubo owns all rights to Bleach.


-Chapter 2-

"Damn you, old man" Barked Aizen as the head captain bound him with a powerful bakudo. "You'll pay for this with your life"

The old man chuckled. "Save your empty threats Sosuke Aizen. You're no longer a threat to any of us" he replied in his usual no nonsense tone, dragging Aizen away.


Renji shook his head. "I still don't understand how the hell you of all people managed to take down that bastard Aizen"

Ichigo's head turned sharply toward his friend. "How would you like to find out, Renji"

"Was that a threat, Ichigo" Replied the red head, reaching for his zanpakuto.

In a flash they both felt a sharp pain in their heads.

"Ow, what the hell, Rukia" screamed Ichigo, rubbing his head.

"Yeah Rukia" added Renji "you really need to start acting more like a lady"

They both recoiled in horror as Rukia shot them both a threatening look. "You two looking for another one"

"No, ma'am" they both replied in unison.

"Anyway" spoke the dark haired soul reaper "most of the other Soul Reapers have already left for the Soul Society, and Renji and I need to go as well"

"Well, what are you waitin' for"

"Just shut up and listen, idiot. Renji and I won't be able to return to the world of the living for a while. The war may be over, but it has left the Soul Society in chaos. Six of the captains and all of the Luitenants except Renji and Yachiru had to be taken back on stretchers, not to mention the 3rd and 5th seats of squad eleven. But just because Aizen's gone doesn't mean we can let our guard down. It's possible that Aizen may have even planned his defeat. With him you can never be sure" She sighed as she walked to the open senkaimon.

"Just be careful Ichigo"

"I will" he said assuringly, as Renji stepped through the senkaimon in front of her.

Rukia stopped at the edge of the portal and turned her head to face Ichigo.

"Take care of Orihime"

"I will" he assured her as she too stepped through the senkaimon.

And he fully intended to. He had vowed to become stronger so he could protect her. He had infiltrated Hueco Mundo and fought against impossible odds just to save her, and there wasn't a chance in hell that he was going to stop now. He would protect everyone.


For a few minutes no one said a word.

It was Uryu who finally broke the silence. "Well Ichigo, now that that's over I have to be getting home" he calmly stated as he began to walk away.

"See you later, Uryu" Ichigo replied.

"I'd better be going too" spoke Chad. "See ya, Ichigo"

"Later Chad"

Uryu chose to take the quickest route home. He wasn't about to let a little thing like a war make him absent from school any longer than necessary, so he reasoned he would need his rest.

His home wasn't very far away so before he knew it, he was at his front door. As he reached for the doorknob, he couldn't help remembering how Orihime had restored his hand after the battle with Ulquiorra.

"Thank you, Orihime" he thought out loud as he stepped inside.

"If it wasn't for you, I would never fire another arrow"

Chad decided to take the scenic route to his house. He knew he would be unable to sleep after everything that had happened, so he just wandered around for several hours before finally going home.

He was just glad that the war was over. Orihime was back safely, Aizen had been defeated and everything looked like it would finally go back to normal.

Ichigo and Orihime just stood there for a while, neither of them knowing what to say.

"Well then" said the girl behind him, breaking the silence "I guess I'll be going too"

"Wait" said Ichigo suddenly.

"Yes"

"Are you sure you're alright, Orihime"

"Of course Ichigo, thanks to you"

"Don't mention it"

"Well, I have to go" She turned and smiled sweetly at him. "Thanks for saving me, Ichigo" she said begining to walk away.

"Let me walk you home"

"No, that's ok, I don't want to be anymore of a both...er"

She suddenly froze when Ichigo placed his hand on her shoulder and looked in her eyes.

"You're not a bother, Orihime" he said gently. Then he turned and began to walk away. "Now let's go"

"Right" she said in her usual cheery voice, running up beside him.

He was glad to hear that voice again. It was so happy and full of life. It sounded like the old Orihime, before all this Hueco Mundo business. He was glad that she was happy again.

"I'll always protect you"


"Aww, I don't have a key" said Orihime frowning.

"I guess no one would take a house key with them to Hueco Mundo, would they" spoke Ichigo.

"I guess not" she answered, giggling nervously.

"Couldn't you just get a spare from your landlord or something" he asked, trying to find a solution.

"I can't. She's out of town" stated the girl.

Neither of them said anything for a while. They just stood there trying to think of a solution.

Ichigo was the one to finally break the awkward silence.

"I guess you can sleep at my house Orihime"

"Thanks, Ichigo" she answered cheerily "Are you sure your family won't mind, I don't want to be a bother"

"I already told you, you're not a bother. Now let's go"

She smiled up at him. "Of course, Ichigo"

He turned away and they began to slowly walk down the street.


Ichigo slowly pushed open the door of his home, hoping that his family, espicially his father, was asleep. He motioned for Orihime to go in front of him, to which she nodded and walked in. He quietly shut the door behind them and walked over to the couch.

"I'll sleep in here" he said "You can have my room"

"That's alright, Ichigo, I don't want to be a bothe..."

She stopped short, knowing what would happen if she finished that statement. He would give her that annoyed look and tell her she wasn't a bother. She, in turn, would thank him and take his room.

"I mean thank you Ichigo" she corrected.

"That's better" he said, smiling "Now go get some rest"

"Right" she said "So where is your room"

"Oh right, go up the stairs, first door on the left. Make yourself at home"

She thanked him again and quietly walked up the stairs, entered his room and closed the door.

Ichigo had just begun to get comfortable when he heard footsteps behind him. he turned his head to see Orihime with a silly grin on her face.

"Uh, Ichigo"

"What is it Orihime"

"Um, your body is in my bed"

"Damn, sorry Orihime" he said rushing to his room.

She giggled at his reaction. "That's Ichigo" she thought to herself.

In less than a minute he returned, now in his body. His hand instinctively went to the back of his neck.

"Sorry about that, Orihime" he said, looking nervous.

"That's ok" She said, smiling.

"Well, goodnight Orihime" he said, smiling back.

"Goodnight, Ichigo" she replied as he lay down on the couch.

She turned and walked back to his room. Laying down on his bed she let out a contented sigh. She wasn't sure why, but even after all that had happened to her, she felt happy, like it was nothing more than a dream.


If you're reading this, someone must've thought the previous chapter wasn't completely terrible. I realize the first chapter was pretty short. I was really just putting it out there to see what would happen. This one is a little longer. Anyway I intend to start adding plot in chapter 3. Reviews welcome.