Temporary Pain
Disclaimers: I do now own Bleach, Bleach rightfully belongs to its creator and network.
The story is six months after his fight with Tsukishima's fight. He might have won the fight but his fight with was more than likely not over. His family and friends had returned to normal no longer thinking he was insane and returned to training as a full bringer.
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Chapter One
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The trio of Soul reapers have landed in the front Urahara's Shop. Orhime took in her surroudings, it was hard to believe it had been six months since she set foot in the living world. A smile graced her lips as she took in the smell of the world of the living. They didn't have to wait long before running into Kisuke Urahara had been waiting outside of his shop with a coy smile on his lips. He looked a little too excited at least that was the thought that crossed Rukia's mind. The large Tessai Tsubakbishi had a tissue to his face at the sight of Orihime, Jinta Hanakari ran up to the now captain soul reaper and Ururu Tsumugiya quickly went to hug the older girl.
"It really is you," Ururu said with a smile and Orihime patted her on the head. "Oh, we have your gigai ready and Boss has already sent the school a story saying you were under some kind of special protection from the police and your death was faked! Everyone is going to be so excited to see you!"
"Is that so," Orihime said with a smile the usually quiet girl was extremely happy to see her. "Head Captain said you had a special gigai prepared for me. What kind of gigai is it?"
"It's like the one Isshin Kurosaki has," Urahara said simply. "It will be the closest thing to a real human body…that is until a certain soul reaper is ready to join you on the other side…so it will come in handy so no one will really suspect anything."
Orihime nodded, "Abarai-kun, Kuchiki–san please do a quick patrol of the city and make sure there hasn't been an hollows roaming around. If all looks well then please get your gigais and join me at the school."
"My, my…you are quite the captain now, aren't you Inoue," Urahara spoke gently. "Well, let's get you into your gigai and then off to school with you. I told them I was your distance uncle and was able to register you back in the school. Your principal almost nearly hugged me in great excitement, I told him to keep it a secret until you arrived at school. You will be in the same class as Kurosaki, the teacher will be expecting you."
"Thank you for everything, Urahara-san." Orihime quickly went enter her new gigai. There was a puff of smoke as she entered her gigai. Once the smoke cleared Renji and Urahara were gawking, it was clear understatement of her body changing. Rukia had a vein popping out, sure Orihime had been training and it sure showed in her school uniform that was hugging her every curve. If that baka doesn't notice Inoue then he is a complete and utter moron! Even these two idiots are drooling over her new fit body. If Renji keeps gawking I'm going to kill HIM!
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE LOOKING AT RENJI!" Rukia was heaving and Orihime looked at the petite soul reaper with as fire seemed to breathing out of her body. "And you…you perverted old man, don't look at Inoue like you haven't seen her before!"
"Ow, ow…Rukia that hurts!"
"Kuchiki-san, ow….please…please…"
Orihime laughed, "I'm on my way to school then. Thank you again for everything. I'll meet you two later." She reminds me of Tatsuki-chan. She is going to be surprised when she sees me. I can't wait to see everyone again.
Rukia continued to pound on Urahara and Renji for gawking at Orihime. As the other just watched in fun amusement as Rukia began to lecture the two men about how rude it was to stare at women like that. "Just because she has had some change to her body doesn't mean you can just sit there and stare at her! Remember Renji, she out ranks you now! You can't be caught staring at a captain much the girl that has become like a granddaughter to the head captain…imagine what he would do to you if he ever found out! Oh the horror of being on Head Captain's bad side! THE HORROR!"
Urahara whispered to Renji, "Did she just draw the head captain like a rabbit?"
"Don't say anything or she'll beat us again," Renji whispered back.
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Lunch at finally arrived for the teenagers and Ichigo was sitting at his desk still unmoving. His friends watched in the background trying to figure out a plan for the try to get him to move. They wanted some kind of reaction from him, anything to show he was still breathing. Lunch was quickly ticking by and he just sat there unmoving. They all sighed collectively that was until they caught a glimpse of auburn hair. They all looked at each to make sure they all saw it and they quickly went into the hallway and gasped. They quickly grabbed the girl out of sight before Ichigo even flinched…not like he would. They made their way to the roof as five pairs of shocked eyes looked at the girl in front of them.
"Please tell me I'm not dreaming…" Tatsuki said as she put her hands on the girl's shoulders. "Please tell me you're real…" Tears came to the surface of the karate girl's eyes.
"I missed you too, Tatsuki-chan," Orihime hugged the girl. "I'm sorry that I had to leave you for you a little bit."
"But…but how…" Ishida asked looking at the girl as the girls parted from their hug. "Rukia said you were in soul society and that you were fine…that we probably won't see you…"
Orihime smiled and parted from the gigai, five jaws nearly dropped as Tatsuki caught the limp body. "I've been assigned to Karakura town to insure the safety of it with two other soul reapers on my team. I am being allowed to finish high school as I see fit while maintaining order here. Urahara-san has already spoken with the school to make arrangements for my return for the remainder of the school year."
"Oi, showing off your rank I see," Rukia said as she landed on the roof with Renji. "We did our patrol and so far it all looks clear. We wanted to let you know…" Orihime nodded as she joined her soul with her gigai once again. "Everyone is here…"
"Tch, that idiot isn't up here," Renji crossed his arms. "I bet he has no clue right now does he…I should smack him around a few times."
Orihime stirred and stood back up thanking Tatsuki for catching her body, "You'll get your chance soon enough Arabai-kun. The reason I asked for you first is that you are probably the best qualified to help Kurosaki-kun train. Since our secondary assignment is to do what it takes to help him regain his soul reaper abilities."
"That bastard better sure feel lucky, this is coming straight from Head Captain himself," Renji pouted. "Not fair that he gets to receive all this special treatment."
Orihime shook her head, "He has done so much for Soul Society this is the least we can do for him. I just don't know how I should approach him…"
"If that idiot doesn't notice how much of a babe you are right now, he isn't a man," Keigo commented and got a smack on his head by Tatsuki. Mizuiro laughed nervously as Tatsuki automatically became the protective older sister of Orihime even though her sister had become a soul reaper doesn't mean she can't protect Orihime's honor. "Tatsuki that hurt…"
"We do have some time before lunch is over, maybe you should go talk to Kurosaki before class starts it will give him a little time to adjust to your presence," Chad insisted.
"We should kidnap him!" Keigo shouted.
"No I think it would be better to embarrass him in front of the other classmates," Ishida said with a smirk. "Besides it would be a less chance he would skip school if he saw Inoue."
Orihime looked at them sadly, "Has he been doing poorly since my death?" Everyone grew deadly silent and that was the answer she needed, "I see. Well, I guess I'll just have to go and say hi to him." She put on her happy smile and looked over her shoulder, "I'll see you two after school and go get your gigais from Urahara-san. We can meet at by the front gate of the school. Then we can stop by Kurosaki's home, I'm sure Kurosaki-san will be glad to see you two." With that said she disappeared back into the building.
"No way I'm going to miss this!" Everyone began running back to class to see what Ichigo's reaction would be. They stopped once they saw Orihime by the door they peaked into the window as everyone was staring at her as if they had seen a ghost. They were whispering to each other and none of that phased Ichigo who was staring out the window.
"What do you think he'll do?" Keigo asked as they made their way to the door. Their heads in a row from top to bottom watching as Orihime slowly approached Ichigo.
"The suspense is killing me!" Tatsuki was biting her nails. "We're going to have some blackmail seriously coming up depending on his reaction."
"Tatsuki, is that really a good idea… I mean his initial reaction is going to be shock…" Mizuiro stated as Ishida and Chad watching silently as the three friends continued to converse amongst themselves. "Can't she walk any faster….this is torture…"
"Stop staring at her ass moron," Tatsuki hit him on the head. "She's standing next to him, shut up."
"Is this seat taken," Orihime asked sweetly and they saw Ichigo's body tense up. He didn't move but they could see he recognized her voice. "Kurosaki-kun?"
Ichigo slowly turned around afraid if he did he was imagining things. He was afraid but he knew if he didn't he would never know if it was really her or not. The whole class was silent as the teacher came to see what her students were up to. She then turned to look through the window and was clearly interested in the scene herself. She had just been informed during her lunch break a student had returned to them. Everyone knew Ichigo's affection for the auburn princess but never did they imagine he would have taken her being gone so hard.
He finally made his way around and his mouth was hanging open, his eyes were once again filled with life as he was staring at her…Renji and Rukia didn't want to miss the fun either were sitting in the open window. They were trying so hard not to laugh as Ichigo slowly stood up still staring at the girl as if he would blink she would vanish. "In…In…Inoue…."
"Why do you look so pale, you're not sick are you," She placed her hand on his forehead and he could have just fainted right there. Her hand felt warm and not cold like the night at the hospital. She had to be real, she was there looking at him with those worried gray eyes. Her hair was longer down to her hips and he noticed her waist line was much more defined as well as the rest of her body. He saw no wounds evident on her, his pulse was racing. He had to be in a dream there was no way she was real. Just no way she was real…after all this time…"Your temperature feels fine…" She began to retract her hand only to have him grab it with his own.
"Are you…are you real?" Ichigo asked shaking as he looked at his hand and hers. She was holding it in her own and she looked up at the orange hair teen looking so desperate. "Are you really here?"
"Hai," Orihime closed the distance between them as she walked around the desk. Her hand was still in his larger hand, "I'm here. You're not dreaming…Kurosaki-kun." He engulfed her into a hug as the rest of the students just were surprised to see any movement of that speed at all from him. His face was buried in her hair so the others couldn't see his expression so they finally walked into class surrounding the two. Whispers were floating around the classroom about their theories on how she could be back at all. The teacher made her way in and explained it to everyone what she was informed, the story of course that Urahara had told them. Everyone seemed to have bought the idea but still to have her back…well for the male population it would be a free for all picture on their cellphone contest on who can get the best picture.
"It's…it's really you…" Ichigo whispered as Orihime returned his hug. He was shaking but no tears escaped his face as he held onto the girl fearing she would fade away. Renji and Rukia figured they better get their gigai if they were going to have some fun with Ichigo later. The teacher just looked on, she didn't want to ruin the moment since it was the first time Ichigo has shown so much life. Everyone slowly took their seats as she cleared her throat in front of the embracing teens.
"Kurosaki, I'm very glad you have finally joined us again in the world of the living, however if you wish to hug Inoue you can wait till after school," Ichigo finally taking in what his teacher said he quickly let go of Orihime blushing at least ten shades of red. He tried not to look at the teacher and Orihime, knowing he would mess up somehow. "Well, now we need to find you a seat don't we, Inoue? Welcome back, it's good to see you. Have you been training of some sort, you look extremely fit."
"Ummm…" Orihime blushed a bit, "I had to keep myself busy so I went to the gym a lot. I was in a different place, almost like another world to me. But I had friends at where I was and they like to do a lot of different physical types of training and I couldn't just sit back and watch…"
Ichigo's eyes grew wide, did he understand her right? She had been training…and there was no real sort of modern gym in Soul Society. He looked her over once again, she was safe. She was unharmed…but who would have been training her…why were they training her? Ichigo had questions flying around in his head that he couldn't seem to find the answer to. He would have to talk to Orihime later to find out what she mean in her secret message. He knew it was meant for him the way she was talking about training. Did Inoue become a soul reaper?
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"Oh, there you are, Kuosaki," Ichigo looked up and gapped at to modernly dressed Rukia and Renji. Renji waved and Ichigo looked over at Orihime. "Hey, hey…she isn't the only here you know. We're here too, baka!"
"Who are you calling a baka!" Ichigo ran up to Renji and was in his face. "Last time I checked you were already living in soul society…sorry if I can't believe my friend is back…not only that she's become a soul reaper in charge of this city."
"Oh she told you that already did she," Renji shrugged. "She's a captain too you know…"
"Wh…what…" Ichigo ran back to Orihime as the group watched somewhere in the middle. "You're a captain…"
"Yes," after she had answered he ran back over to Renji.
"So what are you and midget doing here then? Doesn't only one soul reaper need to watch over the city, why are there three then?" Ichigo asked huffing and puffing.
"Head Captain figured you want some alone time with Inoue," Rukia said slyly and got a blush out of Ichigo. "I mean after all of your moping he needed to find a way to perk you up…"
"What are you trying to say," Ichigo glared at the petite soul reaper.
"Captain Inoue has been assigned here as a captain yes, but she still isn't really been given permission to patrol around that's what we are for," Renji made sure to put emphasis on the word Captain. "Head Captain figured since school was so important to her for her to finish also to make sure you got your head out of your ass…"
"Why you," Ichigo grabbed the collar of the Renji's shirt. "If you're wanting to piss me off, you just did!"
"I wouldn't hurt the guy that's supposed to be helping you get your soul reaper powers back," Rukia said looking up with her arms crossed. "Inoue is the one that recommended him for your training since your full bringer training has hit its limitations."
Ichigo ran back over to Orihime as the group watched him run back, "You picked RENJI! You can't have picked anyone else? I mean this is Renji we are talking about!"
Orihime giggled, "Don't worry you'll be seeing all of them soon enough. I figured since I wanted Kuchiki-san to accompany on my first three months here that she would want Abarai-kun to be here too."
Ichigo sighed, "I swear I'm going to wipe that smirk off of his lips…"
"Now, now Kurosaki-kun," Orihime patted him softly on the shoulder. "He was eager to come and help you. Abarai-kun was getting quite bored in Soul Society. He didn't have his favorite friend to banter with!"
Renji ran up to Orihime, "He is not my friend! And most definitely not my FAVORITE friend either!"
"I could say the same for you, idiot!" Ichigo and Renji started their small fist fight and everyone sighed. The five onlookers had to smile, their Ichigo was back. He was about to endure a little more pain but it would be well worth it in the end if he could accomplish the goals set out for him.
"We should have a celebration!" Keigo shouted and everyone looked over at him. "We should celebrate the return not only of our Orihime but we have ICHIGO BACK!"
"Every…one…" They all looked at him with smiles on their faces. "Have…I really been…"
"Kurosaki, you've been dead to us. You've been walking around like everything was alright but we could all tell you weren't here with us," Ishida sighed. "It was getting quite boring for my rival to fade away."
"What did you say Ishida!"
"He is right though," Tatsuki said looking up at her childhood friend. "You've been out of it for six months and in seconds you are back to yourself once Orihime walked through the door. Don't you see, she is our lynch pin…a very important one at that. She even got you to smile again…"
Ichigo was turning red, "Oh there is no need to be embarrassed about it! We all missed Inoue!" Mizuiro said standing next to her. "She has made our remainder of the year very pleasant. Graduation wouldn't be the same without you, Inoue…"
"Oh, that's very kind of you." Orihime smiled and laughed, "But a celebration would be nice. Where should we have it!"
"It our place of course," everyone looked over to see Isshin Kurosaki standing there. "The school called me to tell me that my son was looking extremely happy and I was curious to why. So I decided to stop by. It's good to see you are well Orihime…"
"Thank you, Kurosaki-san. But I don't want to be a burden to you or your family!"
"Nonsense! You brought my dumb ass son out of his depression, the best way I can repay you is by letting you have dinner with us, all of you are invited of course," Isshin said then looked down at his watch. "Dinner is at seven, I expect to see you all there!"
I don't like it! That old goat chin is up to something! I don't like it! Ichigo glared at his father's retreating back. He sighed and looked at Orihime again, She's really here. She's here…I can…I can finally ask what her one regret was…I don't want her to have any regrets…I'll…I'll get my powers back and nothing will ever take you away again…at least now…I know…
"Kurosake," Renji put his arm around Ichigo's shoulder causing him to break his thoughts. "What's got you so deep in thought? I would have sworn you were daydreaming…are you having naughty thoughts about Inoue…"
"SHUT UP!" Ichigo was red and punched Renji square in the jaw. "Get your mind out of the gutter! I swear you are like my old man!"
"Ichigo!" Rukia punched him in the gut, "Now I feel better!"
"What the hell was that for?"
"You needed it to wake up, you have training to do but first I agree with your father we should celebrate. Renji can beat you all he wants tomorrow!"
"Tch, like he could ever beat me!"
"What did you say," Renji grabbed Ichigo's collar. "You don't have your powers back yet and I'm going to show you a lesson about respecting your superiors!"
"Bring it!" their friendly banter seemed to have been restored. It was a good thing because Orihime knew there was a reason the Head Captain wanted him to have his powers back, "I don't want to give you a time limit Orihime. But I sense a great disturbance coming our way. I need Kurosaki ready for that time. The faster he can regain is powers the better. If he is not making progress by graduation of this high school of yours…then I want you to train him personally."
"Yes, head captain."
"I don't want you to go easy on him. He will be surprised that you out power him until he is back to his former self. Even then you could probably fight toe to toe with him until he using his hollowification form. I have faith in your abilities."
Orihime smiled as she watched the two boys banter. That's right, we don't know how long this happy bantering will last us. We don't know when this new enemy will come. I hope I do not have to be the one that unlocks that door for Kurosaki-kun. But if I must I will do it. Graduation isn't too far away from now, but…I have faith he can do it. Will I have to step in and help is yet to be seen.
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Dinner had been loud and full of excitement. Orihime told them about her adventures and trainings in soul society. It put a lot of people at ease knowing she was fine this whole time. Tatsuki even told her to flex a muscle and Orihime did. Tatsuki nearly fell over when she checked out Orihime's arms. Everyone laughed as Tatsuki was now worried she was no longer the strongest girl in Japan. Orihime just laughed it off like it was nothing. She just laughed warmly and said she wasn't interested in being the best in all of Japan. That title of the strongest girl of all of Japan was indeed Tatsuki.
Ichigo sat there admiring Orihime and just memorizing her features until a foot came in contact with his chin, "Stop staring…a picture would last longer, eh Ichigo!"
"What the hell!" Ichigo glared up at his dad, "Geesh old man…"
"It's nice isn't it," Isshin asked his son in one of their rare son and father moments. "To have her back…what is even nicer she was able to bring you back to us."
"Yeah, yeah," Ichigo smiled looking over at the girl. "She's changed a little bit but she's still the same Inoue…"
"She's grown stronger, her spiritual presence has changed…she probably did it for you too…tried to get stronger faster just to be home with you," Isshin said as his son's face froze. "She came for you…"
"She has friends…she has other people…"
"Yes, but this is for you…didn't you hear her story? She said that this was a gift from Soul Society…they even know the effect she has on you. I think instead of protecting her, you'll be fighting side by side from now on…but hand in…"
"Shut up," Ichigo's eyebrow twitched. Everyone started to leave except the soul reapers that were there. They hadn't said where they were all going to stay yet and since Orihime's old apartment was now being rented out to someone else it wouldn't be wise of her to go back there. He sighed until his father made his grant entrance.
"Orihime, you should stay with us! I mean after all you don't have a place of your own anymore! Oh and since there is no school tomorrow you should take the Yuzu and Karin shopping and buy you some clothes too eh?" Isshin said holding onto her hands that only aggravated Ichigo even more. "You two are also welcomed to stay here as well, Ichigo can sleep on the couch, I'm sure he wouldn't mind that two lovely ladies are taking up his room!"
"Bastard…" Ichigo was flaring up as his father kept on lingering his paws on Orihime.
"Say Ichigo, why don't you get your room ready for these two ladies!" Isshin was glaring at his son and it didn't faze him of course. He just grumbled up the stairs once he was out of ear shot, "I think you should talk to him alone for a little bit, eh Orihime?" Orihime was confused but nodded, she stood up and made her ways up the stairs. "Oh the spring time of YOUTH!"
"I doubt anything is going to happen, Ichigo is a prude…" Karin crossed her arms and nodded her head. "Hopefully this time idiot big brother will get his act together…"
"Seriously if Kurosaki doesn't at least kiss her in the near future, I swear something is wrong with him," Renji sat in the same manner as Karin.
"You shouldn't be talking about brother that way! We know how private he likes to be! Knowing him, he probably wouldn't even announce he is dating Orihime when he starts!"
"So Yuzu, you think he will start dating Orihime?" Isshin stated joining in on the fun. "Tell me dear daughters should we make a wager on how long it will take Ichigo to confess is feelings and kiss Orihime?"
"I want in on that bet!" Renji said excited until Rukia pulled on his ear. "Don't tell me you aren't at least a little bit curious on to see how that Idiot can screw this up? I beat he could mess this up in a million ways knowing that idiot!"
Rukia thought about it a second, "Alright I'm in! I bet this new Orihime will have to make the moves first!"
"Oh I second that! I don't think Brother has the balls to make the first move," Karin had a twinkle in her eye.
The group started making their wages, Orihime had been knocking on Ichigo's door and when he didn't answer she walked in to see him yelling at Kon. She smiled and closed the door behind her after she entered his room. Ichigo turned to see who it was and turned red and put Kon down. Kon got excited and had stars in his eyes. He tried to jump at Orihime and he grabbed the stuffed lion going any further. "Bastard Ichigo let me go! I want to properly greet Orihime Inoue after being gone for so long!"
"You are not greeting anyone properly stupid," Ichigo growled at him.
"You haven't changed at all have you," Orihime giggled as she had crossed the distance between them. She grabbed Kon who gladly was glad to be held by someone of beauty. "And you haven't either, always getting into fights with Kurosaki-kun."
"Well…"
Orihime smiled and put down the stuff toy, Ichigo quickly kicked him away from her so he couldn't look up her skirt, "So…uh…what brings you up here?"
"You're upset…"
"Huh?"
"You're upset that I'm a soul reaper now, aren't you?" Orihime pressed closer to him and he was sweating nervously. She was too close for comfort…sure he had hugged her at school today but this was too close. It was as if she was looking into his soul and he felt like he couldn't hide any of his thoughts.
"No…I'm just…umm…"
"It's ok if you are; I know I didn't expect it when I first got to Soul Society. To tell you the truth, I really didn't know what to expect since I had never been in that situation," Orihime shrugged. "I never expected to become a captain, I always imagined that be you someday…"
"Me, a captain?" Ichigo suddenly felt flattered by Orihime's comment. He looked down at her eyes as she gave them a little more space. "I'm…Inoue…I don't want you to think something wrong of me but…I'm still in a lot of shock. It's a lot to take in…the fact the old man actually wants me to get back my powers as a thank you is a little much."
"He sent me here to as part of that Thank you, you know," Orihime blushed. "He said he could feel how much you missed me…that you missed me the most out of everyone. Even my brother said so when I first got to see him…he said that Kurosaki boy must miss you a lot."
"He…he…I guess…" Ichigo sighed, "Inoue…I'm glad you came back. I'm just glad you're here…I'm …well…errrr…..damn it….do you remember the last thing you told me before you died?"
"Huh?"
"That you only had one regret," Ichigo grabbed the hand he held the night she passed away. "I want you to have no regrets when you have to go back to Soul Society…because I know you will have to go back and I can't do anything about it but…before you go I want to make sure you don't have any regrets about the world of the living."
"Kurosaki-kun," Orihime was shocked and smiled warmly as a pink tint was apparent on her cheek.
"What was that one regret," Ichigo asked closing the gap between them. "So I can make sure you don't leave here with any and when you come to visit again that you still have none…"
Orihime looked up into his warm eyes, "Kurosaki-kun, you…you…don't need to worry about that right now."
"Inoue…"
"Tell you what, when you regain your powers of a soul reaper I'll tell you then that is if you haven't changed your mind," Orihime said as she didn't realize how close Ichigo's face had grown to hers. Her eyes widened in surprise but it was short lived as bodies came crashing in the door of his bedroom.
"WHAT THE HELL!"
"Ow, ow, ow."
"Get off of me! You're heavy!"
"AHHHHH! You're crushing me!"
"You're foot is in my face! Move it!"
Ichigo's eyebrow twitched as he looked at the dog pile of people on his floor. He dropped Orihime's hand and was fuming over the group of people landed in his room. "Were you all eavesdropping on our conversation?"
"No, no, no, no…why, why would we do that?" Rukia rubbed the back of her head trying to act as innocent as possible. Orihime just smiled but quickly faded as the three soul reapers sense a hollow nearby. The three quickly left their bodies and Ichigo turned to see a nothing but he could tell that the others could see them. Yuzu could see figures but couldn't really see what they looked like.
"Ichigo…"
"Huh," he turned to see his father finally standing up. "Let's put this bodies so their comfortable when they return. You can put Orihime in your bed if you like!"
"WHAT THE HELL!" Ichigo was heaving in anger as his father began moving Renji around on the floor till he was on his back. He then moved Rukia and Ichigo sighed as he lifted Orihime's body off the floor. He took his father's suggestion and placed her on his bed, her face looked so peaceful. He gently brushed a few strands of hair out the front of her face. He wished he could see what she looked like in her captain attire. He vowed to himself that he would get his powers back to see it and to know what her one regret was. He would make it go away and he would get stronger to walk by her side. It was his turn to catch up to her level of strength. Oh how the table had turned.
Isshin put a finger to his lips as he and his daughters watched Ichigo gently looking down on Orihime's gigai's form. Ichigo…you are much like me when I met your mother. I just hope I wasn't as blind as you are on what you are feeling. I'm sure because Masaki isn't here that you don't quite understand the emotions you are feeling or know what they are since she isn't here to help you. I can see it as clear as day how much Orihime means to you. Seeing your total transformation from a lifeless shell back to our Ichigo…in matter or hours, I will be forever grateful to you Orihime Inoue. Hopefully my idiot son will not ruin his second chance with you. The three took their leave of Ichigo who was completely lost in his thoughts.
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"You're kidding me," Renji complained as he sat up from his position on the floor. "Inoue took out those hollows like they were nothing…what exactly has the head captain been teaching you?"
Rukia came to as did Orihime, "For me to know and you to find out later. My training isn't even finished yet according to Head Captain…"
"Hate to see when it's done," Renji grumbled. "Say…we were out all night hollow hunting…hey why did Inoue get the bed? And Rukia and I are on the floor?"
Orihime looked down and sure and enough she was on the bed. She shrugged as smelt breakfast, "I think we are in time for breakfast…we should head downstairs. I'm sure Ichigo has some clothes you can borrow Abarai-kun."
"Like hell I'm gonna wear that idiot's clothes. I rather run around stark naked!"
"Baka!" Rukia smacked him, "You'll have to borrow something until we can obtain more clothes…we can't be wandering around wearing the same outfit all the time."
"I see you guys are back," Ichigo said leaning in the doorway looking at the three soul reapers. "Yuzu made some breakfast. Rukia, she said you can borrow her clothes again if you need be. Inoue, dad said he found a few clothes that mom use to wear still hanging around here. He said you can look through it so you guys can go shopping…"
"What about me," Renji asked.
"Hmph, I don't care!"
"Why you!"
"Kurosaki-kun, could he borrow some clothes from you? We really didn't get the chance to go shopping due to all the excitement yesterday."
"I rather die…"
"Feelings mutual, Kurosaki!"
Rukia sighed as she slugged Renji, it would seem it was becoming a very new habit of hers. She then punched Ichigo in the nose as Orihime stood there shocked. She then sighed; she knew it was kind of their way of showing affection in a way. There was nothing she could but just sit there and smile. It was just like old times, six months sure was a long time. She stood up and leaned over Ichigo that was rubbing his face. She then knelt down and moved his hand out of the way. Renji and Rukia began watching with curiosity.
She closed her eyes and a golden light was in the palm of her hand, she healed the broken nose that Rukia had just caused. Ichigo was red as a tomato as Orihime was using her healing technique on his nose. She was holding his other hand in her free one that wasn't hovering over his nose; Ichigo's hand began to twitch in anticipation for something he didn't know what. He studied her face; her features had changed just slightly. It wasn't a face of a girl but of a woman, he felt himself swallowing as his face felt like it was a glowing red light. Orihime stilled showed her shyness that she always had but right now she wasn't shy at all. She was this close to him and he felt like he couldn't breathe…she was entirely too close and yet he found himself wanting to get closer…
"There all done," Orihime said and it felt all too soon for him. As she stood up with her hands behind her back smiling down at him.
He stood up and he looked down at her, he was lost in his own thoughts when he heard, "GOOOOD MOOOOOORNING ICHIGOOOOOOOOOOO!" Ichigo met his father's kick with one of his own breaking his moment with Orihime.
"You were awfully close to him don't you think," Rukia teased and Orihime turned five shades of red.
"Ku….Kuchiki-san…it wasn't like that, you broke his nose and I…and I needed to fix it." Orihime began stuttering and there was the old Orihime that everyone knew.
"Sure, you looked like you were going to kiss him!"
"EIIIIIEEEEEEE, Kuchiki-san!" Orihime covered the smaller soul reapers mouth but Renji chuckled as he made his way downstairs avoiding the fighting Kurosaki men. Renji was warmly greeted by Yuzu and Karin just nodded as she pretended to be reading the newspaper.
"Your skills are getting week!" Isshin punched his son and in return Ichigo punched his father in the face.
"Shut it old man!"
"Oh, what did I ruin your moment with the beautiful Orihime," Isshin had a sly look on his face as his son turned five more shades of red with embarrassment and anger. He was flustered by his father's words.
"Brother! Dad! Come eat breakfast! Tell Rukia-san and Orihime-san to come down and eat too!" Yuzu shouted from first floor. "I want to go shopping today!"
"Hai! Hai!" Isshin marched down the stairs happily. "Hurry up, we're going to take a family trip today!"
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See you next chapter ^_^ Next chapter will be shopping madness…and Step one into regaining Ichigo's lost Soul Reaper powers.