Bleach (c) Tite Kubo. I am just a loyal, borderline obsessed fan.

Story idea by me

Orihime stared up at the huge building in front of her. This was it. Today was her first day starting her new job at Las Noches Hospital. She was surprised she had found a job so quickly after graduating with her Doctorate in Psychology.

Back in college, everyone had laughed at her for choosing such a ridiculous major. Those who majored in Psychology never found jobs. They kept pushing her to try more physical forms of healing, like Cardiothoracic or Neurological surgery. Orihime didn't think that way. She believed healing began from the core, which is why she chose Psychology. She was going to heal people mentally and emotionally.

During her interview her nerves got the best of her and she stuttered incoherently throughout. It had been so embarrassing, she was sure they wouldn't want to see her again. And then a week after the interview she got a call from them. They told her they liked her honesty and attitude and they needed more people like her. She was over the moon when they said they looked forward in working with her.

Now here she was, twenty-four years old, and about to start her new job as a Psychotherapist. She grinned. Dr Orihime Inoue had a nice ring to it.

Still, despite her excitement the building in front of her looked rather frightening and dark, as if it held forbidden secrets.

She laughed, "Don't be silly, Orihime. It's just your nerves, that's all. They can make anything look intimidating."

She took a deep breath and walked up to the door, "Well, here it goes."

The door was heavy, and she had to use all her body weight to open the damn thing. She frowned slightly at the door once she once inside, "They need to get that fixed."

"Yeah, we've been trying to work on that."

The voice made Orihime jump and she turned to find a woman smiling at her. She was a very beautiful woman. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back in waves and she had soft blue eyes. She was wearing what looked like a nurses outfit. Orihime couldn't help but think her attire was inappropriate. The woman's breasts looked like they were about to spill out at any moment.

"Is there something I can help you with, ma'am?" the lady asked kindly, "You seem lost."

"Um, yes. My name is Orihime Inoue and-"

"Matsumoto!"

The lady, Matsumoto, cringed, "Oh dear, he's spotted me."

Orihime turned to where Matsumoto was looking and saw a very miffed…boy? Why was a boy wearing a doctor's outfit? Orihime couldn't help but stare at him and his shocking white hair. Not to mention his blue eyes.

"Ah, Dr. Hitsugaya. Good morning."

"Don't 'good morning' me, Matsumoto. How many times have I told you to dress appropriately?"

"Erm, I lost count after the 500th time."

Orihime saw Dr. Hitsugaya's hand twitch. She could have sworn he was about to face palm, but he kept his cool. Upon seeing Orihime he turned to her, "Can I help you?"

"Yes…um…I'm here to start my new job today, uh, Doctor?"

Orihime couldn't stop herself from adding the questioning tone to 'doctor'. Hitsugaya eyed her suspiciously, "Why the questioning tone?"

Her face flamed, "Oh, I'm sorry. It's just…you look to young to be a doctor."

A vein ticked in his forehead and Orihime feared she crossed a line.

"Oh, don't get angry with her, Dr. Hitsugaya. Not everyone knows you're a child prodigy who graduated from college at the age of fourteen and managed to get his doctorate in Cardiothoracic by the age of sixteen."

Orihime's eyes widened, "Wow. Now I feel kind of pathetic."

Dr. Hitsugaya grumbled in agreement. "You said you were starting a job here today, is that right? What did you say your name was?"

"Orihime Inoue."

"I see, and who contacted you to come here?"

"Um, Dr. Aizen I believe. He's the one I had the interview with."

Matsumoto lit up, "Dr. Aizen you say? What a coincidence, I was just about to head over to the side of the building where his office is located myself. I'd be more than happy to take you."

"Really? That would be wonderful!"

Dr. Hitsugaya scowled, "No, I'll be taking her. Dr. Ichimaru's office is on that side of the building. Don't think I don't know what the two of you do behind closed doors."

Orihime saw Matsumoto grin sheepishly and she figured that she and this Dr. Ichimaru fellow were in some sort of relationship.

"Come on, Ms. Inoue. I'll show you the way."

She smiled gratefully at him before turning and waving at Matsumoto.

The hospital was a bustling place. Orihime couldn't help but look at everything and everyone in awe. She had always thought hospitals were fascinating, the way they worked was like a beehive, or an anthill. To the outside world, it looked like chaos, but on the inside it was very well structured system.

"Here we are."

Dr. Hitsugaya's voice made her jump slightly. She looked and saw she was standing in the doorway of Dr. Aizen's office.

Dr. Hitsugaya knocked on the door to announce their presence, "Dr. Aizen, there's someone here to see you."

Dr. Aizen looked up from his paperwork and smiled, "Ah, Ms. Inoue. I'm glad you got here alright.. Thank you for bringing her Toshiro."

Dr Hitsugaya cleared his throat and Dr. Aizen chuckled, "Excuse me, Dr. Hitsugaya."

Dr. Hitsugaya left the room and Orihime stood awkwardly at the door, not really sure on what to do.

"Please have a seat, Ms. Inoue. We have a lot to discuss."

Dr. Ichimaru watched as a young woman, with a confident grin on her face, exited Dr. Aizen's office. Dr. Ichimaru, being who he was, decided to investigate.

"Who was she, Sōsuke?" he asked, waltzing into Dr. Aizen's office and lounging in a chair as if he lived there.

"Hello Gin." Dr. Aizen replied without looking up from his newspaper.

"Well?"

"That was Orihime Inoue. She's going to be our new Psychotherapist."

Gin chuckled, "Psychotherapist huh? Let me guess, she's going to heal people with love and compassion."

Sōsuke smirked, "Be nice, Gin."

"She seems like she'd be fun to tease."

"You think everyone is fun to tease, Gin."

Gin grinned, "This is true."

"Actually Gin, I would like you to keep an eye on her."

"Oh?"

"I have a feeling Ms. Inoue seems too curious for her own good. I wouldn't want her to…wander."

"I understand. I won't take my eyes off her."

Author's note:

Chapter two, hooray!

Yes, I know it's short. They'll get longer, I promise.

When will Ichigo and Orihime meet? You'll just have to wait and see :)

Reviews are lovely.

Be sure to check out my HichiHime story "Ties that Bind' :D

and as always, take care and God bless,

SingingButterflyRose