A/N: Orihime is no longer Emmerson's love interest; Tatsuki is. Emmerson's accent is a specific type of Irish accent: Mid Ulster English. I personally don't know what it sounds like, but since he is born in Ulster (Northern Ireland) he should have the proper accent. Also, I didn't write his dialogue to look Irish, but in hopefully in future stories I will. 1

Take away all of this pain,
Life feels like it's all in vain,
Life feels like it's all in vain,
Blindingly it seeps through the trees,
Burning bright subconscious streams,
Falling light dismantled dreams.- Of All These Yesterdays, Trivium

Monday, November 15th. 2005

"Alright class settle down please."

Few words can calm a class of high school seniors more than the ones spoken by Ms. Ochi. Right away the class settled into their respective seat and waited for the class to begin. At the back sat Ichigo Kurusaki, looking unamused and board. To his left sat Keigo Asano, Mizuiro Kojima to left and Yasutora "Chad" Sado in the seat in front of him. Another of his friends, Uyru Ishida, was directly up front.

It has been seventeen months since Aizan's defeat, and frankly Ichigo and company found the current peace slightly boring. Sure, hollows still pop up and their friends from the Soul Society visit when they can, but overall, while they are glad to have won the Winter War, wouldn't mind a little more action in their lives. Now the only thing they have to occupy their time is the mountain of school work they have to do and decide where they want to go to college. Ms. Ochi began to speak again.

"Class, before we begin, I would like to introduce a new student to the class. He's a transfer student from Europe, so please welcome to our class Emmerson Jackson Lynch."

The door to the class opened, and everyone turned to get a look at the new student. What walked in the door made the girls sigh with delight and the boy groan in defeat. He stood 6'3", with long blonde hair tied back into a tight pony tail. A smirk was affixed on his handsome face, his emerald green eyes dazzling every single girl in the classroom. His attire was the standard school uniform with several variations to it: jacket open, a blue tie with thin yellow stripes and a worn pair of square toed black leather biker boots.

"Welcome Mt. Lynch, would you like to share a little about yourself?"

"Most certainly", answered Emmerson in his smooth Irish brogue again made the girls giddy with excitement. "Names Emmerson Lynch, I was born February 8th, 1986 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, the youngest member of a Catholic family in a Protestant neighborhood. I'd say that about all I got, so where do I sit?"

"You can pick Mr. Lynch."

He scouted the empty seats for a second before he pick one in the middle of the room. "Bingo!" Bending his knees Emmerson leapt onto the desk in front of him, then leaped over three desks and landed on the empty one between two male students on one foot, then hopped off onto the floor and took a bow while the class applauded his performance.

"Alright Mr. Lynch, have a seat."

Heading the teacher's word he took his seat and settled in. While Ms. Tanaka went over the history lesson Emmerson used the time to look over his classmates to get a feel for what he was in store for him. Most of the ladies in the class looked nice to his eye, but none really stood out. What did stand out was the tall dude in the back of the class

Jesus Mary he's a tall one, make sure not to fuck with him, or the fellow behind him, looks angry. Well Emm, I think you'll like it here, hopefully that bastard Noah won't think to look in Japan

While Emmerson was lost to his studies and his thoughts, Ichigo was in the middle of a pestering session at the hands of his friend Keigo. "On no! Did you see that Ichigo he going to steal all the girls and there won't be ant for us did you see how all the girls looked at him awwwww maaaaann-."

Keigo went quite after Ichigo put a foot to the side of his head. "Shut the hell up Keigo. It's not like you get the girls anyway."

"You're an evil person Ichigo!"

Lunch

The usual rooftop lunch goers where gathered in their usual groups, the main topic being the new kid in school. Even Ichigo and company were discussing him while they waited for Tatsuki to show up. "I don't know how I feel about him; I'd have to talk to him first."

"Nice to know that after a year and a half you're still terrible at sensing Reiatsu Ichigo." remarked Uyru, "I felt his before he even entered the classroom."

"So is he a?"

"No Ichigo, he's a human that can see spirits, like you once were."

"Oh, what do you think Chad?"

"Don't know, he's agile, you see the way he leapt up and over the desks." rumbled the deep voice of Chad. "Speak of the devil. . ."

Uyru felt him before he opened the door to the roof. Moments later the door swung open and out stepped Emmerson, who took a moment to pick a group to interact with. Let's see, no girl groups, eh not Keigo, little bugger's to jittery for me. . . ahh, the tall one and the angry bastard

Emmerson waved to Ichigo to get his attention, and when he looked over to him Emmerson used hand gestures to ask if he could join them. Ichigo waved him over. Good, he knew what he meant. Last time I did that I almost went home with the town queer Johnny O'Grady.

Striding over to them with an Irish swagger, Emmerson took a leaning position next to a sitting Uyru. "Well well, you all know my name but I don't know yours."

"Ichigo Kurusaki"

"Chad"

"Uyru Ishida"

"Pleasure to meet all of ya!" exclaimed Emmerson. Looking from left to right, Emmerson slyly removed a zippo and a soft pack of unfiltered Lucky Strikes. He had one lit up before they noticed.

"What the hell! You can't smoke at school!"

"Ah relax Ichigo; I'll keep the smoke from your delicate lungs. Care to comment Uyru?"

"No, my dad smokes so I'm used to the smell. Can I ask why you came to Japan from Northern Ireland? Seems a little extreme."

Emmerson took a drag from his smoke before answering, "Ulster's getting a little too hot these days, tired of all the fucken militant factions in the rest of Europe."

"Where's Ulster?"

"That's the traditional name of Northern Ireland Ichigo." answered Uyru.

"How do you know all this shit?"

While those two went at it Emmerson was taking in the sight. These guys are funny as hell. He watched as they traded insults before going quite "Hey Emmerson."

"Yes my baritone voice friend?"

"What did you mean by all the factions?"

"All the god damn homegrown idiots who don't like the way things are and try to change it. Neo Nazi factions, Neo Communism, Separatists, Eco Freaks and all the other shit that make people want to change things. It's even worse in the British Isles. Scottish Nationals, Irish Republicans, Ulster Unionist-."

"Slow down dude! What the hell are you talking about?" asked Ichigo, looking very confused.

"So sorry friend. As most people know the British Isles contains two islands: to the west is Ireland and the east island is the United Kingdom. Within the U.K. are four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. England rules the land and the other three countries don't like it. Scotland has the Scottish National Party, who want to break away and Whales as the Plaid Cymru which wants the same thing. Now Northern Ireland, that is a big bag of fucked up. The Ulster Unionist, who are mostly Protestant, what to stay with England and use terror groups to further the agenda. And on the other side you have the Irish republicans, Catholics to simplify things, want to reunite with Ireland and too use terror groups to further that goal."

Everyone was quite while the information sunk in. That is, until Chad said what Ichigo and Uyru were thinking. "No wonder you left."

"So Emmerson. . . which group did you belong to?"

Of course the orange haired one would ask that. Easy enough to answer. Taking the last drag off the smoke before putting it out, Emmerson removed his jacket, rolled up his sleeves and let his tattoo's do the talking. On his left arm was a sprawling depiction of the Crucifixion on the top side of the arm and "Blood Begets Blood" written in Latin( Sanguis sanguinem generat) on the underside of the arm. The right arm followed the same pattern: the top side of the arm had a large, detailed depiction of Death, a torn and tattered sham of the United Kingdom's flag at its feet with a piece stuck on the scythe and on the bottom side was "Death Be Not Proud" in Irish(Bás Bí Gan Bródúil)

"Can you guess what faction I supported?" Emmerson's three friends looked at them and answered at the same time: "Catholic"

"Correct." Emmerson rolled his sleeves down and put his jacket back on. "Ye don't have to accommodate for my faith boys; I'm what you call a lapsed Catholic."

"So you don't adhere to your religions teachings."

"You are so full of knowledge Uyru, I like that." Emmerson patted him on the back and reached for his cigarettes and lighter. Damn right I don't adhere, fuck; I'm two steps away from becoming a Protista- Sweet Mother Mary. . .

His train of thought stopped dead, if it was possible his involuntary thoughts would have stopped too at the sight in front of him. Walking out the door to the roof was a young woman about 5'1" with pretty brown eyes and long black hair reaching down past her shoulders. Her most noticeable physical trait is her very lean frame, which from this distance Emmerson could tell was very toned and muscular. Then she too stopped what she was doing when Emmerson caught her eye.

Time stopped for both of them, each one staring into each other's eyes from a distance. She was an angel to him, something strait out of the King James Bible he was force to read by the nuns at St. Mary's on Sunday.

He was like something out of a medieval fairytale to her, a handsome knight come here to sweep her off her feet and take her to his castle. Both came back to reality in embarrassing circumstances: two male students barreled into her and knocked her to the ground and Emmerson's lighter burned his thumb due to overheating. Damn, when did I get the cigarette in my mouth? Fuck it

"Watch where you're going asshole!"

Girl has a temper and a mouth like Sister Elizabeth! Emmerson power walked over to the young lady to help her up from the ground. Reaching her, she was to busy rubbing her backside to notice him until he leaned over and put out his hand.

"Can a gentleman help the young lady?"

"Oh! Sure."

She gripped his hand and with a quick pull she was on her feet and pressed against him. It surprised both of them, that was not a planned act by the two. Both stayed there, not wanting to separate, again looking in each other's eyes.

"Emmerson Lynch, at your service." Hmm, cute little body you got there love, with a firm pair too.

"Tatsuki Arisawa." Wow, he's ripped; I can fell his muscles from under his shirt. And he smells good too.

"LOOK! Tatsuki is making moves on the sexy new student!" shouted a random girl loud enough for everyone to turn and look at the two of them. Tatsuki's face got red with anger and turned to the direction of the voice, "Shut up!"

Emmerson just laughed to himself, "Let's go and join the three over there before they think we're datin"

Still holding her hand Emmerson led her to Ichigo and the others while the entire rooftop became abuzz with gossip about the two. Tatsuki was still speechless in the presence of the handsome Irishmen, not able to comprehend what she was feeling right now .

What is this? I just met him and I feel all giddy inside! Ugh, I feel like Orihime! But he's so handsome. . .

"Tatsuki are you okay and where's Orihime?

"I'm fine Ichigo, Orihime is out sick today."

"Are you sure you're okay? You kind of spaced out there."

"So what if I did! Stop asking me about it you ass!"

"Hey!. . ."

The three men look at her with frightened looks as Tatsuki and Ichigo went at each other in a furious argument.

"The lady always this. . . ?" whispered Emmerson to Uyru.

"Yes, yes she is. . . usually her range is taken out on Ichigo."

Smooth Emm. . . a goddess incarnate and she's a terror. What can you do? Locating it, he picked it up off the ground and relit it.

"You smoke!"

Exhaling the smoke from the first drag, he answered Tatsuki. "Yes I do my sweet minx, not a habit I would pick up."

Tatsuki went red and tried attempted to punch Emmerson in the face just as he put the cigarette in his mouth. He grabbed her wrist and used his right leg to sweep her legs out from under her. Before she could fall to the ground he moved and arm to catch her back. The final result was the two in the classic "swept her off her feet" pose.

Ichigo, Chad and Uyru couldn't believe how swift he had been in disarming the martial arts freak. "Shall we finish this dance little lady?"

Taking her hand, Emmerson pushed her back up, spun her around then extended his arm and put distance between them, tango style.The whole rooftop began to applaud the little impromptu dance between the two. Tatsuki was still red, but it was not out of anger.

"What the hell is wrong with you Emmerson?"

"I like to make a show of things Ichigo: makes people happy or makes them laugh. So do I fit in with you guys?"

For the second time today Chad answered a question: "More than you know it."

Last Period

Twenty minutes before the bell rang to signal the end of the school a deafening roar went unnoticed in Karakura Town except to the six friends waiting for the bell to ring. No sooner did the last echo of the roar dissipated Ichigo made for the door. "I gotta use the bathroom!"

Bathroom my ass, thought Emmerson. Soon he too made for the door, not even bothering to give a reason why. Even with his head start, Emmerson caught up to Ichigo very quickly much to his surprise.

"What the Hell Emmerson!"

"I have to go to the bathroom? Please, you can do better than that my man."

"So what! Why are you following me!"

"You and the others weren't the only ones to hear that god awful roar. I could too, seems we are the only ones that can. And I want to see where it came from."

"No way, you'll get in the way or get hurt." Pulling out his substitute soul reaper badge, he pressed it against his chest and tried to use his now empty body as a projectile to stop Emmerson. Thinking he'd won, Ichigo then began to flash step to the origin of the roar. If he was paying attention he would have seen Emmerson sidestep his limp body and grab it before it hit the ground.

'Can't get rid of me that easily Ichigo. . .' With Ichigo's body still on his shoulder Emmerson broke for the roof, deciding to take the high ground.

Across Town

Twenty minutes battling the hollow and Ichigo was having a rough go of it. This was an ugly one: it looked like an adult bat boy with a horned mask and emaciated physical appearance. Its great leathery wings kept it airborne and out of Ichigo's blade range, pissing him off.

"Damn it! Come on down and fight like a man!"

"NO! IT FUN TO WATCH YOUR PATHETIC ATTEMPTS TO CATCH ME!"

The hollow flapped its mighty wings, creating a great gust of wind that knocked Ichigo off his feet and battered him with various items of street debris.

'Damn it, every time I get close to it blasts me with wind! If I can- WHAT THE FUCK!'

What was drawing attention was the sight of Emmerson, who he swore he left in his dust back at the high school, sailing thought the air just above the hollow's head and out of its line of sight.

"Landing gear down!" was all that the hollow heard from the flying Irishmen before a size thirteen boot slammed onto the top of the hollows head, bringing it and Emmerson down to the ground in a thunderous crash. "WHAT THE HELL WAS-ARGGGGGG!"

Another boot connected with the hollows face, launching it about fifteen feet down the road to where a stupefied Ichigo was standing, knocking it out cold.

"You going to take care of that great ugly fuck or are you going to state at it like an idiot?"

"What! Oh yeah!" Attention back on the hollow, Ichigo in one massive swing sliced the hollow down its mask, and soon it dissipated into oblivion. Putting his weapon on his back, Ichigo turned to Emmerson. "How the hell did you do that?"

"I told you that I could hear the ugly thing roar, I just assumed you'd take that as meaning I can see it too. By the way, bad move leaving your body with me."

"Why!"

"Well you hurt my feelings telling I'd be in the way, so as pay pack I hid your body, and you don't get it back until you both thank and apologize to me!"

"Go to Hell! Tell me where my body is or I'll kick your ass!"

"Considering I knocked out cold a creature you couldn't even catch without using any special items, that is a very hollow threat. Now thank me for helping you and apologize for saying I'd get in the way."

Ichigo wanted nothing more than to hit the smiling bastard in front of him, but he took into account that this man has some freaky skills with his hands and feet, so he swallowed his pride and did what he was ask. "Thank you for helping me and I'm sorry that I said you would get in the way."

"Your body is on the roof, on top of the door leading to it to be exact. Made it look like you're up there taking a nap."

"That's it, nothing. . . embarrassing?"

"You didn't leave me enough time too. Let's start out trek back to the school."

Walking like normal people, the two were quite the first couple hundred yards, just looking at random objects in the street. "Oh, um, this may sound weird but do you wouldn't happen to know anyone who has a spare couch and or floor would you?"

"Why would you. . . you don't have a place to stay do you?"

"Nope, I left Northern Ireland in a hurry and without a lot of money. So could ya help a friend out?"

"Well, the only one with space is Tatsuki, she just got her own place but I don't-."

"Feel comfortable with the idea after this afternoon on the roof? While she is very pretty and I admit, I find her very alluring, I'm not a sex crazed animal. Respecting women is something the nuns beat into me with the meter stick."

"Well. . . I guess you could ask her. You better not try anything or I'll kill you, and that's a promise."

Emmerson gave Ichigo a sideways, "Are you two. . . ?"

"What! No, I date Orihime, we're just friends."

"Really?"

"Is that so hard to understand! I mean when we were kids I had a crush on her, but I didn't act on it."

"Fair enough, and call me Emm, we're friends now. But, if she starts showing interest, and kind of hints at-."

"If she makes the first moves than by all means do you European thing."

Emmerson burst out laughing at that. "European thing? Oh I'm going to like it here."

Karakura High School

Back at the high school Uyru and the others were waiting for Ichigo and Emmerson to get back down from the roof and join them, which they did after a few minute wait. Not one fore wasting time, Emmerson quickly made his way to Tatsuki. "Oh Tatsuki !"

"What do you want Emmerson?"

"Call me Emm. I'd hate to ask this, but in my rush to leave Europe and due to my lack of financial stability I have no place to live. So, I was wondering if I could. . . maybe crash on your couch? Or the floor if that's what you'd prefer."

He wants to stay with me? Oh what do I do! He can't live on the street that would be awful, but what if something happens between us? What if we kill each other But he's hot. . . oh what the hell. "Okay. You can sleep on my couch." Maybe he can show me some of his moves.

"Bless you my lady, just let me grab the things I brought with me, I hid it in a closet."

He sprit back into the school, blowing pass groups of girls that all turned to watch him run to a unused broom closet, grab a duffle bag and the two guitar cases he hid under a pile of empty trash bags and bolt back to Tatsuki and the others. "Okay, lead the way."

The two of them began their walk to Tatsuki's apartment, their friends watching them as the turned the corner and left their sight. "How long do you think it will take for those two to start dating Ichigo?"

"Two weeks at the most, I see the way Tatsuki looked at him when we showed back up from taking care of the hollow and when he disarmed her on the roof, she's into him."

Back to the walking duo, Tatsuki was trying really hard to think of anything but him. All she could do was keep looking at him out of the corner of her eye, something that Emmerson noticed, but he let her do it until she could think of something to say. Finally something came to her. "Are you sure the couch will be okay? I could let you have my bed."

"The couch is fine, no need to give up your bed." I've slept on worse when I was on missions. "Do you happen to know where I could find some work? If I'm to be staying with you I'd like not to be a mooch."

"Sorry I don't."

"That's okay; I'll go searching for one later. Do I intimidate you Tatsuki?"

She began to blush a little before answering his question. "No! I could kick your ass right now if I wanted too, but I'm beat from today's gym class."

"If you say so. You know, you don't always have to act like the tough one all the time Tatsuki, a little feminine grace might just enhance your already natural beauty."

"Wh-!. . . shut up Emm!." He chuckled too himself at her response, he was looking forward to what was to come.

Tatsuki's Apartment, Night Fall

While lounging on the couch, a knock came from the front door. With Tatsuki in the shower, Emmerson got up from the couch and answered the front door. "Yes?"

"Oh! Who are you and why are you in Tatsuki's apartment?"

"You must be Orihime, Tatsuki's friend. Come in darlin' and I'll explain what a strange European is doin' in her apartment."

Emmerson moved out of the way to let her in. As soon as he closed the door Orihime was eying him over with a diligent yet silly look. "Tatsuki has a man in her living room, and he's hot!

"Relax little lady! The names Emmerson Jackson Lynch and I'm a new student from Northern Ireland. In my rush to leave I couldn't find a home so I asked Tatsuki if I could stay here. And she's in the shower-."

"Orihime ! What are you doing!"

Tatsuki was standing behind the two of them, wearing only a towel and dripping wet

"Was in the shower." Sweet Jesus this girl has a toned body.

Leaving him alone, Orihime walked over to Tatsuki and dragged her into the kitchen for a private conversation.

"Tatsuki I'm so happy for you! You found a man and let him move in."

"He's not my man! He didn't have a place to live, I wasn't going to let him live on the street."

"But," stammered Orihime, "You came out here in nothing but a towel, like you two were dating!"

"Stop it Orihime. It's not like that: he's cool dude and. . ." The two of them peaked around the corner and gave Emmerson a once over. Presently her was back on the couch, his dress shirt untucked and top buttons loose. His hair was still tied back, but the ponytail was loose and the bangs on the left side of his face were in his face, his typical hair style while not at school. He gave the spying ladies a wave before the disappeared back into the kitchen.

"He's kinda cute in a rascal kind of way. Now be nice to him while I finish my shower."

Orihime could only heave a sigh as a practically naked Tatsuki walked back to her bathroom, right past Emmerson. Orihime too made tracks, but to the living room. Picking a spot on the floor close to the couch, Orihime watched as Emmerson dug out a shot glass and a green bottle 3/4 full and pour himself a drink.

"What's in the bottle?"

"Whiskey, Jamison to be exact. I am Irish after all, and what kind of Irishman would I be without a bottle of whiskey. It' my usual after dinner practice."

"Really." A curious smile crossed her face has Emmerson downed his drink. "Yep, I like the taste, compared to other whiskey's and liquors.."

"What about saki?"

"No way, not again. A friend of mine imported some one summer and we polished it off in one night. I started drinking in Londonderry and woke up in Belfast in someone else's car. I later found out it was the local priest's car!"

The two laughed at that little tale, "Orihime, can I ask you a question

Orihime gave Emmerson an odd look, "Why do you want to know?"

"Well, as Tatsuki always been. . . now how do I put this. . . boyish?"

"As long as I've known her. She a real good fighter and can take on anybody, but it has made her unapproachable."

"How so?."

"Well she intimidates all the boys, even Ichigo. I know that he had a crush on her once when they were in middle school, but she always scared him away by trying to hit him when he tried to flirt with her. She's been single all through high school."

Well Emm, looks like it's time to bring out the woman inside Tatsuki.