Author's Note: I need to point this out, for those readers who haven't read my profile. My laptop was stolen about a month ago. All my projects (including this one) were put on indefinite hiatus while I scrambled to get myself back together. I've finally been able to complete this chapter, and by way of apology it's three times larger than my usual installments. I have a makeshift means of updating, so I'll be focusing on this story to the exclusion of all others for a while. I still won't be able to update every day as I once could, but I should be able to update once or twice a week from here on out. Thank you for your patience, please enjoy. I'm a bit sad that this is the first Bleach chapter I've ever written in which Ulquiorra makes no appearance, but he's coming starting next week, so bear with me.

RETURN AND RECOVERY
THE WINTER WAR'S CONCLUSION
ORIHIME'S STRENGTH

The first thing Ichigo Kurosaki became aware of when the abyss of his slumber finally waned was the light. Even with his eyes closed he could see the crimson-gold of the sun's morning rays pouring into the room, and feel their radiant warmth on his face. In and of itself this would be a pleasant sensation, but it also reminded him of the second thing he became aware of: his entire body was racked with pain. The covers found their way over his face, which became contorted in agony as the burning throb at his temples became unbearable.

Damn it. He thought bitterly. I can still hear him laughing. Ichigo couldn't be certain how long he'd been asleep. However, he knew that almost the entire duration of it had been spent in an unconscionable nightmare of taunts and threats shouted between Ichigo and Ichigo... between he and his other self. It would be impossible to feel fully rested after such a sleep, and he took note of the fact that his entire body felt leaden and stiff.

"How long was I out?" He asked the question to no one in particular, as the room he'd been laying in was currently vacant (a case of bad timing on his part, for there had scarcely been five minutes since he'd been placed there that a concerned friend hadn't spent doting over him.) When he was feeling slightly more courageous he attempted to rise, and admirably made it as far as to be sitting up before the pain and nausea he felt forced him to stop. He opened his eye into a narrow slit, his vision fuzzy and distant. The room he found himself in was decorated and constructed in classic Japanese style. Each wall was built of white wood and covered in a natural theme with flowers and kanji symbols used as random decoration. The bed he'd been lying on would more correctly be called a padded mat. The antiquity of the room, as a whole, left little doubt in his mind as to where he was.

Hat and clogs... Kisuke Urahara, Ichigo almost let the realization of whose house he'd been staying in give rise to the question of why he hadn't been delivered to his own home. However, his memory of his last fight in Los Noches was still fresh in his mind. He was certain 'that' was the precise reason he'd been kept here, and this certainty scared and frustrated him. That bastard 

hollow had to reappear. Even though he knew it was always possible, he believed that his determination and Hirako's vizard training would keep that monster asleep forever. If Ulquiorra hadn't been so much stronger than he expected. If Orihime hadn't been there...

Oh, god! Orihime. Ichigo flinched as he remembered the look she had given him when he finally regained control of himself. She'd been so sincerely terrified, but what was that other emotion? Resentment? Was she angry at him for killing the man who had kidnapped her? He didn't pretend to understand all of Orihime's feelings; all he knew was that that one instant -that single expression- had cut him more deeply than any sword he'd ever crossed.

The sound of voices interrupted his thoughts, and he thanked god for it. It seemed that Urahara was keeping company of his own. The two of them were a couple rooms away from Ichigo, so he could only hear if he closed his eyes and listened intently. He did so silently, happy for the distraction.

"My, oh my... and you let them get away without even pretending to pursue. I'm surprised you could be so laid-back." Urahara said, feigning criticism in his usual sarcastic way.

"We didn't have the luxury of a pursuit force." The other man's voice was young, but still commanding of respect. It took Ichigo a few moments to connect it to a name: Hitsugaya Toshiro. "At the time many of our captains were trapped inside Hueco Mundo; the majority of our ninth division as well. It was difficult enough to heal on the front lines without them, pursuing a fleeing enemy was impossible."

"I see, it sounds troublesome. So how many escaped?"

"Two of the Vasto Lorde class arrancar, one of their 'fraccion', and former captain Kaname Tousen."

"Oh? You mean you caught Ichimaru?"

"No, and that's what has me suspicious. He surrendered the exact instant Aizen died."

"... and Kaname Tousen slipped away. It's out of character for both of them." Urahara finished the young man's thought.

"That's the majority opinion at the moment. Yoruichi and Captain Soi-fon are interrogating Ichimaru personally, as we speak." Hitsugaya sounded lost in his thoughts.

"Is that the case? I don't know whether to envy or pity him." Urahara's voice cracked a little at the comment, and Ichigo could imagine the ridiculous grin he had to be wearing as he said it... and the cold expression Hitsugaya would shoot him in return.

"Yes, well, Ichimaru is a serpent. I can't imagine he'll be truthful, even if we torture and imprison him. That's why I'm asking this favor of you."



"So even though the soul society is touting their incredible victory over Aizen's army, not one of you honestly believes that he's dead? I'm a little bit disappointed." The line was spoken in a darker tone than Urahara's voice usually carried. Ichigo cursed at not being able to see exactly what was transpiring, but didn't want to risk losing this chance to learn how the battle ended by trying move closer to the two of them.

"Aizen's abilities make taking anything for certain a fool's mistake."

"Very true, very true. Either way, I'm not certain how many more favors I can be counted on for. I am in exile, after all."

"Just consider it for now. Captain Unohana will be returning with her division tomorrow evening. Since she was the one who first detected something amiss last time we're hoping she'll put our fears to rest."

"Then consider it I shall! Now if you'll excuse me, I need to remind a certain mannerless guest how tactless it is to eavesdrop." The sound of Urahara's fan clicking open almost covered the muffled 'thump' of Ichigo falling over in surprise. Toshiro also seemed taken unaware by the revelation.

"You mean he's finally awake?"

"Apparently so. I didn't realize when I agreed to watch over him for awhile that he planned on staying so long. At times I can be more generous than I realize. D'ya wanna say hello?"

"No, I'm pressed for time badly enough as it is. Please wish him well on my behalf." There was a great rush of energy as the young man walked out the door. Ichigo let himself slump back down onto his mattress and exhaled sharply. While he wanted very much to bring himself to give a damn about the news he'd just heard, his mind was still fixed solely on his failures. Thanks to him Orihime was terrified. Thanks to him Rukia was… he stopped himself right there. There was only so much guilt he could stomach right now.

It felt like an eternity had passed before the door to his little room slid open, revealing the slender frame of his apparent host. Kisuke Urahara looked down, his light eyes locking with Ichigo's to convey an emotion to complex for the younger man to fully understand.

"Damn, friend." The older man's smile was a sad one. "I hope you don't feel as bad as you look." He leaned against the wall beside the door, the tip of his fan resting against his chin.

"Cut the crap. How long was I asleep?" Ichigo growled in guttural voice that sounded almost completely incomprehensible. It was as if his vocal chords were trying to remember how to function again after their long rest. Urahara shrugged at Ichigo's request; in all honesty he wasn't in the mood for sarcasm anyway.

"I can't say how long you were unconscious before they dragged you in here, but you've been lying in that spot there for eleven days now." It was a shame that Ichigo's face felt partially paralyzed. Oh, how he hoped his expression was one of disbelief!



Eleven days… No wonder his body felt like a corpse!

Ichigo wasn't certain how to react to the news, dozens of questions raced through his mind all at once, each seeming to compete to be the first to escape his lips. After several seconds of silence he was able to decide on one, but only made it as far as to say "Is everyone…" before being interrupted.

"I think you were born under a lucky star, you know? As reproachable and stupid as your spontaneous decision to invade Hueco Mundo was, it worked out nicely all around. Orihime was rescued, Aizen's army was crippled," He paused, as if wanting to gauge how Ichigo would react to his next few words. "… and all without a single casualty among your comrades." The rush of relief Ichigo felt would have taken him off his feet if he'd been standing. One of his biggest worries began to melt away.

"You mean Rukia is alive?" Ichigo was so genuinely happy he almost appeared childlike. Urahara couldn't help but chuckle a little at the reaction.

"Alive and well. Believe me, the only person anyone's had to worry about since the battle was you." Ichigo covered his eyes with the palm of his hand. It was an act of outdated machismo from a young man trying to cover his tears of relief. Urahara wondered if there was a time he let himself get that attached to people as well. It had been a long time. After a few moments of breathless sobbing, Ichigo continued his inquiry.

"So how'd things go for the Soul Society?"

"You mean you actually care? Well, Karakura town's still here, so I guess it's clear which army emerged victorious. If you heard Toshiro's speech earlier you know how most of the aftermath is being handled."

"If you guys killed Aizen, then you have nothing to be complaining about. Just focus on rebuilding."

"That's the plan. Of course, since we're dealing with Aizen everyone's a tad paranoid. I've known the man too long to blame them, of course. However, I personally doubt that even Aizen's tricks would be enough for him to escape an attack old man Yama gave his life to perform." A glimmer of realization crossed Ichigo's eyes.

"So that's how it ended."

"Yup. Aizen and Yamamoto wound up dying on each other's swords. It was a sight so tragically cliché it almost seemed ripped from the pages of some shonen manga. Of course that was just the most severe of many casualties, the result of just one of many battles. Truth be told, Even though it looks like a victory it came at a pretty heavy toll. The thirteen court guards are scattered, and Soul Society is more vulnerable at present than I've ever seen it before." Urahara let his fan snap shut just as Ichigo began forcing himself onto his feet. He made progress slowly but surely, gritting his teeth in determination as 

he attempted to remind his body of muscles it had long since forgotten about. A solid minute was all it took for him to stand, and as wobbly as he was it was still a pretty impressive feat.

"Hey, Urahara, tell them that if they need my help I'll cooperate with them. Once I've recovered a bit, I mean." Urahara shot him a look of patronizing surprise.

"There's something I never thought I'd hear you say."

"Yeah, well, to be honest I don't really give a damn about Soul Society or its authority, but," Ichigo's eyes showed signs of a deep sorrow. Urahara began to wonder if he'd taken the news of Yama's death much more seriously than he expected. "This time, regardless of their reasons, they were fighting to protect my home town and a lot of people I care about. I'm truly grateful for that."

"You're one of the most straightforward guys I know, Ichigo." Urahara said with a laugh. "It's a weakness, but an admirable one. Alright, I'll make sure they know you're willing to cooperate with them."

"Thanks. Now, if you'll excuse me. It's about time I headed home." The first step Ichigo attempted almost made him crumple to the ground. Urahara dove to catch him, but stopped when he saw Ichigo find his balance again. The kid's determination really was a force to be reckoned with.

"You gonna be okay?" Urahara asked. Ichigo nodded in affirmation.

"Of course, Exercise is just what I need right now." He made his march for the door, Urahara watched him leave for a moment before calling out, almost as an afterthought:

"Ichigo." His voice was grave and warning. "This time you were here four days before your reiatsu returned to its human form. I understand that you've been forced into a lot of crap since the day you met Rukia. All the same, if you keep thrusting yourself into situations that you have no business living through, it'll be nobody's fault but your own if you're devoured by your own darker nature." The young man turned his head back to give him a strangely reassuring look, a wide smile on his face.

"Y'know something, hat-n-clogs? One of these days I'm gonna have to stop finding myself in your debt. Thanks again." He left at that, surprised to find that the pain in his muscles was strangely invigorating, and finding that each step was easier to take than the last. Urahara was less than convinced, but did nothing to stop his exit.

"False confidence is unbecoming, Ichigo Kurosaki."

SCENE CHANGE

It was the first day back to school following the New Year's break, and the joy this evoked among the students curried its undeniable thickness in the air. For as far on the schoolyard as one could look the sight of lethargic-looking students in hastily assembled uniforms would greet their view. A few 

minutes remained before the start of the school day, and this fact brought expedience to the rushed masses, which moved ever quicker to their destinations amidst the blurred conversations that are almost certainly universal amongst teenagers, the world over. Talk of joyous reunions, the fashionable, and the romantic. Friends were greeting one another as though they hadn't met in years, and engaging in melodramatic mourning over the loss of the long break. This was the atmosphere that Tatsuki and Orihime found themselves in, and would have been lost in were it not for vibrant glow of Orihime's bright orange hair.

The two girls seemed exactly as they had always been: Tatsuki slightly hunched, with an ever-present scowl reflecting her slightly bitter outlook on life, and Orihime beaming a broad smile that seemed to imply naïve obliviousness (a trait which those who knew her best could say was slightly misleading.) While they both appeared to be happy, there was a spirit of unspoken distress dwelling in each of their hearts. Of course, since they were lifelong friends, both girls knew that something was amiss with the other. However, neither dared to question the façade under which they hid, for fear of treading upon some buried scar. So it was that they continued to make small talk that neither of them paid attention to, as Tatsuki lamented knowing so little about the people closest to her and Orihime wondered silently about a certain pale arrancar with light-colored eyes.

"Wow, Orihime! I can't believe you won a trip overseas. You're so lucky…"

"Huh?" Orihime blinked, an expression of confusion on her face. She was sitting in a seat toward the back of the classroom, her friends wreathed around her. One of them, a brown-haired girl who wore a ponytail, had made this statement. Tatsuki (who was seated beside Orihime) quickly leapt to cover for her.

"Don't tell me you've already forgotten about your trip? You just got back! God, you're so helpless." She slapped her forehead in frustration. It was just like Orihime to forget an alibi as soon as it was agreed upon. Orihime remained befuddled another moment before a glimmer of realization crossed her face.

"Oh! Right! Well, um… it sure was a trip." She said in such a rehearsed way that Tatsuki almost screamed.

"Wasn't it France you went to? Did you see anything exciting?" Another girl chimed in. All of them were eager to learn more about her extended absence from school.

"Anything exciting?" Orihime looked up thoughtfully. "Not really. Just a lot of desert I guess. It was really kind of plain." Her response caused the girls to whisper amongst themselves.

"Are there deserts in France?"



"I don't think so… but this is Orihime we're talking about. I don't think she knows the difference between reality and imagination half the time."

"Anyway, forget sight-seeing! I'm much more interested in knowing whether or not you had a little foreign romance." Another of the girls said. She was gazing at Orihime with starry-eyed jealousy. Orihime hadn't even tried to make a reply before a strong arm crept around her chest, embracing her tightly from behind.

"How dare you imply that my sweet, innocent Orihime could ever be charmed by some disgusting man?" The arm's owner, a slender brunette named Chizuru, announced with such violence that it almost caused her glasses to fly off her face. Her outburst left the others shaken, and it took a moment for one of them to speak.

"W-we were just asking. Besides…" She pointed at Orihime in conclusion. Her large brown eyes had turned thoughtful and melancholy and a light blush colored her cheeks. Chizuru's jaw dropped in fearful realization.

"No! Say it ain't so! Don't let some guy take you away from me!" She began sobbing dramatically, her embrace becoming so tight that Orihime was momentarily chocked of breath. Tatsuki tried her best to placate her.

"Relax Chizuru. I'm sure that's not what happened. She's probably just worried about Ichigo. Tatsuki certainly believed this to be the case. After all, from what she knew Orihime had been kidnapped. It wasn't as though that was the kind of situation in which a girl would look for romance, right? Chizuru grunted angrily, but released her grip. She didn't care for Ichigo much, either.

"Speaking of Ichigo, doesn't that look like him, down there?" The girl by the window pointed outward, and the others crowded around to see.

Orihime recognized him instantly. The brightness of his hair as he walked past the school gates was unmistakable. She felt a strange mixture of terror, pity, and longing at the sight of him, and knew she had to speak with him as soon as possible.

"He looks injured." Tatsuki said, taking note of his uneven steps and slight swagger.

"Maybe he picked a fight with someone?" offered another student. Orihime was no longer listening. Everything else about the world had melted away. She turned around and darted out of the classroom.

Scene Change



Ichigo was relieved to find that the stiff pain in his legs was slowly fading away. He knew he wasn't seriously injured, and the pain was more of an annoyance than a real burden. That didn't change the fact that he was relieved to be rid of it. A sudden nostalgia hit him as he passed the school, and for a moment he debated going inside. In the end, he decided against it. He just wasn't ready to face Orihime, yet. With a sigh he walked past the schoolyard gates. For some reason he longed to be home. He wasn't quite a hundred yards from the school before a loud scream roared out to him.

"Wait a minute, Ichigo!" He cringed instinctively at the unexpected sound of Orihime's voice.

…So much for not being ready to face her.

"Oh, hello Orihime." He said as she drew closer, panting for breath. If he hadn't been so sore he would have tried running away from her.

"Hi, yourself! Where are you headed?" She smiled up at him, leaving no hint of her inner turmoil.

"Back home. Apparently I've been out of action for a while."

"I'll say. We were all worried about you y'know. Renji, Rukia, and even Ishida came to visit you a lot."

"I see. I'll have to thank them for worrying so much." Ichigo said, genuinely touched, even if it wasn't surprising news. He was tempted to ask her whether or not she had visited him as well, but was still scared of how she might respond. She seemed to pick up on his concern, because she hastily ended the conversation.

"We can talk more at your house! You don't care if I come over, do you? I didn't think so! Come on, let's go." She started pushing him in the direction of his house.

"But don't you have school? Hey!" Ichigo grunted in resignation, and allowed himself to be pushed toward his house.

Scene change

The Kurosaki residence stood tranquil and harmonious in its residential block. The average sized house was a welcome sight to Ichigo, who felt as if a lifetime had passed since the first time he'd gazed upon it. It felt good to be human. It felt good to be alive.

It felt good to be home.

He walked past the tall fenced section, his fingers tracing the sign that identified it as his family's property. Hueco Mundo had left a bigger impression on him than he'd originally believed. One could almost think he'd forgotten how the human world felt. Hundreds of revelations bombarded him at once. Suddenly, he became aware of the cutting wind of early January, of the scent of winter in the air, 

and the light glow cast on the world by the sun beginning its slow decent from the top of the sky. Tranquility! That's what he felt. It was completely unlike him. Thus, I suppose it was fortunate that this feeling shattered as soon as he reached his home and pulled open the door.

"Itsygoooou!" The instant the door opened a green blur rammed into him, her head pushing into his stomach like a short spear and sending him flying backward. He slid an inch or two in the dirt before even trying to rebound, looking forward into the face of the small girl who now sat in his lap.

"N-nel? What are you doing here?" The green-haired girl beamed merrily and threw her arms around him.

"I live here now!" She giggled her response, lavishing her affection for him in the complete and innocent way that only a child can.

"You live…" It took a moment for her words to register in Ichigo's mind, when they did his expression became one of shock. He stood so suddenly that the poor young girl was sent sprawling onto the ground. "What!?" He charged into his house with determined fury. "Dad, what the hell is going on here?"

"Far too slow, runt!" A commanding voice roared. Ichigo turned just in time to dodge the balled fist that his father sent flying at his face. He weaved to the left to avoid the strike, but his father succeeded in tripping him off of his balance as he dodged, catching him in a headlock before he could recover.

"Dammit!" Ichigo cried, struggling in vain against his father's hold as the older man laughed merrily.

"Why are you bellowing at me? I should think you'd be happy that I invited another of your consorts to stay with us. You know, Ichigo… as a man I'm proud that you've managed to collect such a large harem in such a short amount of time, but it seems like your tastes have changed. I mean, Orihime is so full figured and supple…what are those, G-cups? Then there's Rukia, who was petite, to be sure. Now this? I try my best to be supportive, but how is a father to bear the shame of watching his son slowly transform into some sort of lolicon." He announced this in his most dynamic voice, melodramatic tears pouring down his cheeks.

"Umm… I'm standing right here." Orihime said good-naturedly, a nervous sweat drop falling down the side of her head.

"Oh, you are! Hello, Orihime." Ichigo's father blushed a little at the realization, just as Ichigo's hand found its way to the scruff of his shirt. The larger man didn't notice his son's counterattack until he was halfway over his shoulder. He fell into the wall and sagged onto the floor.

"You shouldn't talk. It makes you sound stupid, you perverted old man." Ichigo declared angrily. Nel's staying wasn't such a bad thing. He had no idea what kind of chaos Hueco Mundo was in right now, and at least he could guarantee her safety if he was with her. Still, the problem was in what 

she was. How would Soul Society react? No, he was certain Rukia would understand, and she was the only one who needed to know right now, anyway. Ichigo decided to let the issue drop and started heading toward his room.

On the ground, Isshin Kurosaki continued to cry in a way that was completely beyond what the situation actually called for.

"Where did I go wrong with that boy?" He sobbed into the ground. Yuzu, his youngest daughter, knelt down and patted him gently on the shoulder.

"It's okay, Dad." She said gently.

Scene Change

Ichigo had half-way expected (and wasn't certain whether he hoped for it or feared it) an uncomfortable silence to fill the room when he and Orihime finally found solitude inside his room. However, she spoke to him easily, and the two of them made small talk for several minutes. He was sitting at his desk, while she sat on his bed. Neither one felt comfortable. For him, it was the knowledge that she was so deliberately avoiding the subject neither of them could stop thinking about. It irritated him more than he felt he deserved.

"So we thought of a good enough excuse to use for everyone at school, since this time everyone still remembered me and noticed I was gone and all. Tatsuki came up with most of it, who knew she was so devious? Oh, she says you still owe her an apology, by the way. Don't forget it." Orihime spoke energetically, but with none of the joy her voice usually carried. There was that twinge of anger in Ichigo's chest again. Was she going to pretend that it had never happened?

"I know, I won't forget." His voice was so calm it almost spooked him.

"Let's see, what else-" Orihime began before being cut off by Ichigo.

"Aren't you going to bring it up?" His tone was soft and his voice even, but there was an edge to his words. Orihime pretended to be surprised, but her face darkened noticeably.

"B-bring what up?" She was really going to pretend to be fine after all of this? Ichigo slammed his hand down on his desk. The resulting noise was as loud as a thunderclap, and Orihime's heart skipped a beat at the action.

"Bring up the Arrancar I killed in Los Noches!" Ichigo almost screamed. He wasn't being fair to her, and he wasn't sure why it upset him so much. That didn't change the fact that he was angry.

"I-I-I" Orihime had begun to shrink away from him, her eyes once again full of the fear that had haunted his nightmares while he slept. He instantly regretted losing his temper. "What was I supposed 

to say? I know that that thing I saw wasn't you. I really do, Ichigo." She didn't doubt that he would never harm her, but did she dare to tell him the true reason why it hurt her to look at him now?

"It wasn't me. I'm sorry I yelled at you, but, please. Orihime, why are you still so scared of me." Better yet, how can I blame you for being scared of me? He thought dismally to himself. You saw that monster with your own two eyes. The sudden confrontation made Orihime feel very cornered. She suddenly felt the overwhelming urge to just bolt out of the room.

"Ichigo. Before he-before Ulquiorra- kidnapped me, he gave me permission to say goodbye to one person, and only one." It's better I tell him everything. She resolved. Ichigo opened his mouth to speak, but she gave him a look that seemed to say 'it's your turn to listen.'

"It wasn't a choice at all; I knew immediately who it would be. I wanted to share the last words before my departure, for all I knew the last words I would ever speak, with you. You've been so important to me for so long, Ichigo. Just being with you was enough to make me happy, and the thought of being separated from you forever took that happiness away." She could feel her voice starting to get caught in her throat, but she refused to let herself cry.

"I've started to notice something recently. I guess I knew it for a while, but I didn't really start to think about it until Rukia was kidnapped and we started our long journey together. You mean well, I know, all of you guys do. It's just that, I don't think you've ever really considered me a member of the team. I've never been an equal to you."

"That's not true." Ichigo started, but again Orihime raised her hand and shook her head to silence him.

"Please, just listen, Ichigo." He was hesitant, but he nodded slowly. "You never stopped to think about my abilities or powers. You always just protected me, tried to shield me from everything that was even the slightest bit dangerous. The thought that I could ever be of real use in a fight, even to save my friend, never once crossed your mind. I didn't hold it against you, because I guess a part of me believed that I was pretty worthless too."

"Everything changed when he came into my life. I thought it was a change for the worse, but now I know that it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I was separated from everything I knew and loved, but because of that I started to see the strength inside of me for the first time in my life. I moved forward, and found the beautiful things in the world that had made itself my own. I wasn't a princess who was locked in a tower waiting for her prince to save her anymore. Ulquiorra had made it possible for me to find my strength, but I grabbed a hold of it on my own. In return, I think I helped him remember how it felt to be human again. That was how the bond between us was born."

"I still care for you, Ichigo, but now I know that what I was mistaking for…" Orihime blushed a little bit. "…what I was mistaking for love was really just my desire to cling to you for safety. It was kind of childish, I guess." She couldn't stop the slightest traces of tears from finding their way down her cheeks. "You represented the old me, and Ulquiorra represented the new me. I think that's why now, 

whenever I see you… The only thing I can think of is the sight of that creature torturing and killing the person I cared about more than anyone else in the world. I know it's not fair, I know that."

"Orihime…" Ichigo was taken aback by Orihime's sudden declaration. There was nothing that could hold her tears back now, and she crumpled down for a moment and sobbed uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry, Ichigo. You all risked so much and tried so hard to save me, but from the bottom of my heart I wish you'd just let me stay." She charged out of the room, leaving the house without saying another word to anyone. Ichigo sat in shock, his own emotions swirling uncontrollably. He screamed at the top of his lungs, and when that failed to relieve him he dove onto his bed and tried to fall asleep.

It would be hours before he succeeded.