A/N: Sorry I took so long to update. It was hard trying to think of what to write in this chapter. Thanks to: Chuain, halcyon, Kurzuri12, Norah, CharNinja LOL and Yuukiren for you reviews. And another thanks to everyone else who follwed, read and faved this story and added me to the Author alert. I really appreciate that.

"Renji, I have something I need to tell you." Rukia beamed to her best friend.

The red haired man had a good idea of what she wanted to tell him. He was glad she was happy. Even though he was miserable. The soul reaper didn't approve of her relationship with Ichigo. It felt odd to him some how. Something was definitely off. He couldn't quite figure it out. Sure Mister Abarai had some type of feelings for the brunette. But, he knew he'd never be with her.

"What is it?"

"Me and Ichigo are engaged. He proposed to me yesterday." Kuchiki said excitedly with a smile on her face.

His whole body froze for a moment. How in the hell did this happen? "Oh really?" Was all he could say at this point.

"Uh, yeah. Would you like to be a groomsman at the wedding? Or better yet a best man?" Rukia hoped he'd say yes.

"Maybe a groomsman but not the best man. Sado deserves to be one. He is Ichigo's best friend after all." Renji meant what he said. The man doesn't want to be apart of the wedding at all. But, he was willing to because she's his nakama.

The lady thought about what he said. "Hmm maybe you're right."

"Does your brother know about this?"

"I haven't told him yet. Thanks for reminding me." Rukia ran off to tell Byakuya the good news.

"Their really rushing this relationship. I know they have a special bond though."

The Blood War just ended a few months ago. Some positions haven't been filled. Like the lieutenant of squad one and lieutenant of squad three. Him, Byakuya and Rukia were healed. They were still able to wield their sword after being healed in the royal realm.

Ichigo wasn't able to use his bankai for awhile after his sword was broken in the final form.

Renji was able to move on with his life. He knew he should've at least been able to attend her wedding. "I'll just apologize later. I have better things to worry about." Abarai thought. He still had a lot of paperwork to finish.

It's been six months since he last talked to Rukia and Ichigo.

"How are things holding up?" Ikkaku asked when he walked into the office

"Fine, so far." His tone was neutral.

"It doesn't seem like it. Have you talked to her yet?"

"Nope." Renji really didn't want to talk about this now. "Can we talk about this some other time when I'm not on duty?"

"Whatever you say." The bald man left without saying another word.

Abarai continued filling out the paperwork.

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Orihime defeated a hollow after using Tsubaki before another one appeared. It caught her off guard. It attacked her before she could use her shield. She woke up in Kisuke's with her mid section wrapped in bandages. The gray eyed lady wasn't strong enough to heal herself then. But, after the second day she did.

Inoue was happy to finally go back to school after winter break. She woke up early in order to be on time. Orihime didn't know the schedule her other friends had. Everything seemed fine up until her second class. Her body froze when she entered the class. It was him. The one person she wanted to avoid. But, deep down she knew she couldn't any longer. Sure he'd forgive her for running out of his wedding. The guilt was still there feeling like a selfish person.

Will things ever be the same again?

She didn't think so. Orihime hoped he wouldn't approach her but, that was silly. Of course he could feel her spiritual pressure. Kurosaki-Kun's reishi was impossible to ignore. She could even smell him. Her heart raced whenever he was near. It wasn't fair. Why won't her feelings for him go away?

I'm in love with a married man. I'm such a horrible person.

"Hey, Inoue. I didn't know you were taking Physical Geography?" Ichigo asked.

Orihime turned around to face him. She needed a little time to answer. Her mouth refused to form words. He stared at her in confusion, not really sure what else to say. "Um, it's a requirement to take this class." The red haired woman said nervously with light blush staining her cheeks.

"Same here. Are you alright?" He replied.

"I'm fine . . . I guess. I'm just not really used to being around you anymore. It's like-"

He cut her off by speaking. "It's like things have changed. I feel like I'm too busy to hangout with my friends."

"It's okay. Don't worry about it."

"No, it's not okay. It's my fault for not being a better friend to you and everyone else." Ichigo answered.

Everyone took a seat once the professor walked in. Orihime was surprised that Ichigo sat right beside her. It was hard to focus on the lecture with him beside her. He didn't know how she truly felt and thought. Whenever he glanced at Inoue she would put on a fake smile. The smile made him feel uneasy, he didn't know why.

"What's going on with her?" The blonde thought.

She fidgeted in her chair. She'd attracted unwanted attention from him.

I can't wait until class is over.

For the remainder of the class she focused on not making anymore eye contact with Kurosaki. Class was dismissed early today since it's the first day. Orihime placed all of her belongings in her book bag as fast as possible. She nearly ran out of class.

"What's going on with you? Why'd you rush out of class?" The orange haired guy said. He trailed behind her. Ichigo wanted to know why she acted so weird lately.

"I'm fine. I just need to be somewhere now." She lied to his face. Her eyes refused to look at his. Maybe he would let me go now.

"I don't believe you. What are you hiding?" His voice was filled with concern.

"I'm n-not hiding anything." The gray eyed lady stuttered out of nervousness.

Why does he care? I'm not worth his time.

"Inoue, why won't you tell me what's going on?"

"It's n-not important." She ran off so he wouldn't see her tears.

He let her go. There was no sense in running after her. She was definitely keeping something from him. Ichigo drove home after the incident.

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"You're home early." She stated. Rukia went to the living room to greet him.

"What do you mean? It's three o'clock in the afternoon. How long have you been home?" The brown eyed guy asked as he took off his shoes.

"Since 1:45 pm. What's wrong?" Rukia said with concern.

"Nothing really. Inoue and I have one class together. She's been acting weird."

"Don't worry about it." Deep down she already knew why. Something everyone knew except him. It really wasn't her place to say.

He frowned in frustration. "Hopefully you're right. I don't understand you women sometimes. I'm going to do my homework. I'll be in my office."

It took him three and a half hours to finish his schoolwork. He hoped nothing bad happens again.

Rukia ordered takeout. Nobody felt like cooking anything. Ichigo walked to his room to get his pajamas but, first he had to wait for her to come out already.

"She's taking too damn long in the bathroom." He thought.

His wife came out completely naked. She stood in front of him to get his attention.

"Ichigo?"

"I'm pretty tired right now. Maybe some other time." He was really tired. The man did felt a little bad for practically saying no to his more than willing spouse. Any other time he'd jump at the chance.

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"I'll get stronger . . . And then . . . Next time . . . I'll definitely protect you"

He woke up in the middle of the night. Ichigo didn't know why he kept having the same dream over and over for the past month. But, it was also a treasured memory to him. Ichigo never told anyone about the reoccurring dream.

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A/N: I hinted on chapter 196 in this chapter. The thought just came to me a few hours ago. Let me know what you think. Merry Christmas to you all or Chanukah even Kwanza. If you don't celebrate anything (Have a nice day).

Checkout my new Ichihime story "Special Delivery"

Chuain: Oh no. I never meant that. I wouldn't make anyone of them a murderer or a rapist. I'm not trying to twist their characters that much. Jealousy can ruin a relationship if you let it. But, I can't have her not being jealous at all. Even if she did accept the fact that her love wasn't reciprocated, it doesn't mean she has to like it. I'm not completely sure how'd she'd react if he married her. Orihime's character has matured after the time skip. She actually stands up for herself now. Most of her characteristics are the same though.

I explained what exactly happened with her and a hollow. Of course she's gotten stronger since the SS Arc. Her spiritual pressure maybe high but, her offense has always been weaker than her defense, even now. You can still get injured from a hollow if you're not paying attention.

Mental fortitude? Is her character really that different than in the manga? Did I ruin her character that much? Sorry if I did. It was not my intention.

Halcyon: Thanks, I'm glad you liked the last chapter. If Grimmjow was to be introduced to the story. I wouldn't know how to do it. Though he isn't dead or bad.

Kurzuri12: Renhime would be nice. I kinda actually like that pairing. I don't want them dating anyone at the moment. They need sometime to heal. I totally agree about your last comment. Some people don't realize others feelings if you're not in their face every second which is bad.

Norah: I know it's hard seeing her like that. Being rejected is a horrible feeling. I'll update as much as I can.

CharNinjaLOL: I'm still not sure about Renhime being in the story just yet.

Yuukiren: Renji X Orihime friendship maybe better for now. I'm not going to lie and say I don't want Ichigo to be jealous. I just don't want to rush the relationships too much.