okay..i apologize if the english to japanese is confusing, but i'm trying to use some of both, and i know i'm repeating what i put in japaness in english too, it's for people who don't know japanese, but i'm sorry for the confusion.. T.T'(sweat drop)

Ch-4

Orihime was off on one of her wild day dreams again. Fantasizing about being in a wrestling match with a giant troll made of ice cream and having to eat every flavor to save humanity! Then her dream starting changing. It was evening time and she was back in front of Urahara, listening to him tell her she couldn't fight. She was a burden and that it'd be best if she just stayed out of the way. In her mind that meant she was useless to her dear friends. Kurosaki-kun would be better off without her, Rukia-chan too. And Sado-kun, Ishida-kun, Abarai-san, and everyone would be able to fight better without her in the way.

She just put on her signature smile and ran out the doors. Right into Rukia.

'Inoue?, what is it? Why are you so upset?' Rukia was rather astonished that the beautiful happy smiling girl she knew could look so pitiful and upset. She couldn't help but worry.

Orihime felt so out of herself. She didn't want to be near this person at all. This girl, who unlike her, could make her Kurosaki-kun happy with just a smack, who could fight and be useful, who had a purpose, who made Kurosaki-kun who he was, could HELP him rather then be a burden. Who was beautiful and smart and everything she wasn't. she wasn't sure how she would get away, whether she wanted to, she was so confused and hurt she just burst into tears.

-Rukia wasn't sure what was going on or what she was doing, but she just grabbed the crying girl's hand and led hr to the most peaceful spot she could find, one of the rooftops in Karakura. Quiet at night, deserted, and with the moon shining in the sky. She had no other inclination other than to comfort her Inoue. She'd admired how strong she could be, even if she didn't have any real fighting strength no matter what anyone said, she had the strong heart and will to be by her friend's side to cheer them on and help how ever she could. That was more then you could say on her own part. She couldn't save someone close to her. Kaien..-no now was not the time.-

'Inoue..what's the reason for the tears? What's happened?' Orihime heard the midget girl ask. She didn't really care who it was anymore, she just cried her answer out, her chest heaving and breaths choked she explained about how useless and powerless she was and about what Urahara had said.

The look on Rukia's face was a mix of angry surprised hurt, and something she couldn't quite tell..something she'd known she wore on her face often, but the emotion was a mix of..forlorn…and possession..a sad love almost, but why on Kuchiki-san's face?

'damn that Urahara! He'll never be forgiven!' she heard her mutter a bit loudly under her breath.

For some odd reason, she wasn't so sad anymore, now that she spoken aloud about it, or maybe it's because she'd spoken about it to Rukia-chan. 'it's okay, it's not so bad now..' she said feeling her eyes dry. 'besides, he's probably right, it's better this way, I am powerless, and weak compared to the rest of you..it'd be best if I was out of the way..'

Abruptly Rukia stood up, grabbing Orihime's school sweatshirt, the yellow sundress fluttering behind her,

'no! it is NOT okay! You've stood by us this whole time! You've fought too! You've helped! It's not right for you to be cast aside like this!..how can you give up just like that? Aren't you angry? Frustrated? Pissed off?'

'Kuchiki-san…I'm not,,angry..or frustra-'

'don't lie! You must be!'

'I'm not actually!' she said waving her hands franticly, then going limp in the rather strong older girl's grip.

'..it's just..I'm sad that I'm just..not good enough..to fight with all of you.K-kuro..'

Orihime chanced a glance up, and saw Rukia's eyes soften a little as she let go of her shirt.

She sank to her knees and couldn't stop a flow of more small tears.

'I'd rather be out of Kurosaki-kun's and everyone else's way and by myself, then with them and be a problem..' she said softly and sadly.

Rukia knelt down in front of her, and said something comforting, she was good at saying these types of things, but she was cheered a little that maybe this time she meant it,

'the ones left behind don't lack importance, or skill, they are the ones we cannot risk losing! Orihime, you are just as important and needed as I am, or as anyone else, don't forget that!, noone has been a burden to anyone in any of the previous fights, not Kurosaki, or Uryu. Renji, or Sado not you either.' While she said this though, she brought her small hand up to Orihime's cheeks, and wiped away the tear streaks, gently rubbing the smooth skin of her face, and running her thumb under the busty girl's eyes to remove all the salty tears. 'don't waste your tears, Inoue. Truly, you are important. If any of you, especially you hadn't been there, I wouldn't be standing here tonight with you..I'm sure there's something you'll do to help, we can look for it together'

Orihime noticed how close Rukia's face was to her, and how the delicate thumbs had stopped rubbing circles in her cheeks.

She leaned closer, so their noses were nearly touching, she liked the close proximity of someone. Ichigo had never been this close to her, had never spoken to her like Rukia-chan had. She wanted to be closer to this person, who'd shown her she was an equal, someone who could do something..Rukia really wasn't that bad..maybe it wasn't jealousy like Rangiku had said..maybe-

Out of nowhere a blonde-headed, red-jacketed girl came crashing out of the sky, sandal raised.

'Hiyori-ch-chan?'

'yer comin' with me, Hachi has something ta talk ta ya 'bout'

With a last glance over her shoulder at a disappointed looking Rukia, she was being rocketed away.

Orihime came out of her daydream with a dazed look and a light blush. If Kon or Chizuru had been peeking through her window (which they do often) they probably would've exclaimed 'KAWAAAII-II, 'Hime-chan!'

Ever since that night she'd been thinking often of Kuchiki-san, almost as often as she thought of Kurosaki-kun. It was odd, she'd almost thought Rukia was her rival a while ago, how stupid to fight over her friend..with her friend…but now, in her head, Rukia shined in a very different light, almost as bright as Ichigo's.

On the subject of sweet things, her stomach started to rumble. 'where'd I put that sesame ice-cream and chocolate-seaweed syrup?' she wondered aloud, with her finger at her mouth

-)+(-

Rukia was in Urahara's shop purchasing more Chappy related items. She'd seen Renji wandering around, going to the underground training basement with Sado.

They'd been spending a hell of a lot of time in there, even considering the war-like circumstances.

After that night on the rooftop though, she rarely even though about Renji. Damn pineapple head… having power like that over someone, being able to stop their fallng tears, with only a touch, it amazed her how simple human emotions could be so special.

-)+(-

Sunday morning was dull and boring. Absolutely nothing to do. He'd gotten away from the Vizards already Hiyori had deemed him hopeless, hence why he'd gone to Shirosaki for the 'help'. So now..epic boredom since his hollow seemed to prefer fighting at night..His hair was particularly unruly today, and brighter then ever. There were no hollow's asses to kick, and no family to deal with. No friends had called him, except Keigo but he didn't feel like dealing with that damn spazz today..

Maybe he could go hang out with Renji and Sado, or Rukia, who knew..

He wasn't quite ready to have his ass handed to him by his-self, so he went for a walk.

Bad idea, it felt like it was ninety degrees outside. Hot sun beating down ,and sweat in places he didn't want to think about. When he reached the park where he killed his second hollow, the one where he decided he'd take the shinigami duty, he spun on his heel and walked back.

Staring at his amazingly interesting shoes he trudged back to the wonderful merciful air conditioned house. He saw something shiny along the way, in the grass; it stuck out, being a dull purple shade in he dying yellow-green color.

He picked it up, planning on throwing it away, thinking it garbage, when he dropped it and watched it start to spin slowly. A top! That's what it was. Oh well it was useless anyways.

He was about to drop it in the can when he remembered his hollow. Who was always spinning zangetsu around his finger, every damn time he'd gone to fight him. Maybe this would amuse him, seeing as there was apparently absolutely nothing else to do according to the white bastard.

'Of course this could easily be a bad life threatening idea, where his hollow somehow uses this innocent child's toy device to single handedly take over the universe and push humanity into chaos..naa..'

He tossed it up, caught it and pocketed it, and continued on into his savior- air conditioning. 'hmm..I wonder if my inner-world has hot days'

'only when ya think too much, King' he heard a reply faintly, along with hysteric giggles.

'..tske..teme..'

-)+(-

Ulquiorra was thinking about why. 'take whomever you want' Aizen-sama had said. Whomever he wanted, out of Kurosaki's group. The last time he'd gone to the realm of the living he'd seen them. Only one had caught his eye though, only one captured his interests.

The one that'd be the most useful, whose tears flowed easy, whose composure was delicate and easy to break with harsh words. The orange haired girl, Inoue Orihime that's who his sights were set on, she'd be so simple to manipulate.

That was..the absolute only reason he'd chosen that girl. The disgusting human girl. That beautiful girl whose powers were so unique…that's why he'd take her. Her powers would be the most useful.

-)+(

Shirosaki'd told him how he could get himself into his inner world. It'd been all whispery, but he thought he could do it.

'focus yer reiatsu on tunneling into yourself, feel yer spirit energy dissolve into ya, som'n like that I hope..'

'…you hope?' ..'shit..'

'ehh jus' do it King, like them lightnin' bolt shoes!'

'..uh..' he thought really hard on 'focusing his spirit energy' he was glad he wasn't Orihime, she had trouble focusing on anything..

When he opened the eyes he'd forgotten he'd closed he was staring at..his wall.

'dammit King…yer a fucking fail..I gotta do every damn thin' ain't?' he yell-whispered exasperatedly.

It felt like something was pushing at a barrier around him, and dragging him into himself, like he was imploding..almost like a dying star, minus the supernova and sonic boom. This time he landed flat on his ass..on a glassy blue window.

He looked up at the hollow sheepishly.

'..uh..hey…thanks then..uh..' he wondered if he should give Shirosaki the spinning top, it seemed rather childish now that he thought about it, and he didn't want to insult him anymore then he did by breathing.

',oi! Aibou, quit spacin' out, ya wanna do som'n or sit on yer ass 'n' look like an idiot?'

'hai, hai..aiight..' wow, he'd adopted some of the guy's slang already.

Looking at King, he wasn't as surprised at the outfit. Thin purple pants…'skinny jeans, right?..'.and a partly unbuttoned blue long sleeved shirt. 'All he needs is a purple scarf and a hat wit' th' word 'flamboyant' on it..baka King..'

he jumped up in a rather Kon-like way, pulling reiatsu around him in his shinigami form's black outfit.

'aiight King, first thin' today, ya 'member one o' the thin's ya were so surprised 'bout? I can 'block yer GetsugaTenshous wit' one lil' hand?' he said shaking his left hand and wiggling his fingers dramatically.

'hai, you're good with the whole balancing and holding reiatsu..'

'kay, fling 'un at meh King..'

He put as much 'oomph' into as he had, and it was still just as easily deflected as the one from a week or two ago.

'ya gotta put a layer of spirit energy around it, to make a barrier, when ya got it right, it'll deflect an energy wave and deteriorate, if yer creative 'n' get enough energy 'round ya fist, you can send off cero-like blasts from ya hands instead o' usin' zangetsu.'

That sounded pretty..cool actually he had to hand it to him, Shirosaki was resourceful and creative..when it came to killing and pain that is..'

He' always been bad at working with reiatsu, whether suppressing it, compressing it, gathering it. The only thing he could do with spirit energy was make a hellofa lot of it and rival all the captains of serietei. So..for this move apparently he had to gather, compress, and surround his hand..okay. Gathering was no problem, he made so much of the damn stuff he nearly glowed whenever he went into bankai. He could see small spirit strands around him. Compressing it was a different ordeal. It felt like holding a breath in burning lungs the first time he did it. Shirosaki told him to take in a whole bunch of the little strands and push them together to make them bigger. The pressure of it felt like a shaken soda bottle.

The feeling of compressing it, the breath holding feeling made him actually hold his breath. Shirosaki came over and pressed his hand to Ichigo's stomach.

'yer not supposed ta hold ya breath King, ye'll suffocate, and quit quiverin!'

He didn't really have control over that. The hands touching his stomach made him..nervous, yeah that was it..

'now take them packed spirit threads, and turn tha' energy inta som'n like the energy blasts zangetsu throws out..ya gotta bend 'em 'n' magnify 'em with ya own energy to make 'em do whatcha wan'..then wrap the dark energy 'round ya fist'

'lot easier said then done..'

He focused all the energy he had on pouring his own reiatsu into his hand, but to no avail. He could manipulate his energy into small compact shapes, but nothing past that.

'c'mon,'s like a kidou! Like that black haired shinigami bitch uses, cuz she's a midget'

That did it, part of him wanted to slap Shirosaki across the face, or burst into hysterical laughter. So he did a mix of both.

'she's NOT a bitch, bitch and she may be short, but that doesn't mean you have to state the obvious, Sherlock.'

''s touchy 'bout the Kuchiki bitch, ehh?'

'..shut up, ya sonofabitch..'

'yanno, since I was created technically in you..by Urahara and your will power, does that make you or Urahara the bitch that I'm the son of?'

'Where the hell does this goddamn hollow got his logic from?..'

'don' letcha guard down, King!' he yelled tackling him with a cero punch at his neck, 'we're still training!'

'..'

'ne..jus' sayin', now do it again, actually TRY this time, idiot'

Ichigo stood up again and nearly aced all the way through to the part where he had to make it into a Getsugalike form. It turned a darker shade of red with a flame like look to it, then faded.

'fucKing damn!'

'eh, try again, keeo goin' till ya get it. I ain't lettin' ya leave till then.'

He kept going for half an hour more. Each time he would exceed a little bit by either putting more power into it, or getting the energy almost black, one time he got it wrapped around his fist before it dissipated.

He'd used up most of his spirit energy though, and was standing on dead legs. 'one more..just one more, I HAVE to do this'

He pulled even more energy into this one than he had before. The ribbons compressed into threads, which he formed into a blast like thing, the tips turning black, and molding around his sweaty clenched fist. He wasn't sure what now, but he punched forward, releasing the pent up force, it blew about ten feet, and everything within a three foot radius was demolished, mainly the regenerating glass and cement of the mindscape buildings, leaving a trail of smoke and misty looking raw energy in its wake.

'nicely done King, maybe some time you'll be able ta do one with out tryin' twen'y or so times.' He actually really was impressed. He wasn't expecting King to get that so fast. It'd taken him a few days before his blast got that destructive. King really was a quick learner..

The black robe began dissolving from the exhausted shinigami, and he suddenly remembered the spinning top in his pocket. With tired enthusiasm, he reached into his pocket and held it out on his palm for Shirosaki to see. 'what the hell's that?' he said, crushing Ichigo's premature excitement.

'uhm..well I-ya see..you like spinning things and-um, I found it..and..thought maybe it'd interest you..I dunno..never-'

'lemme see it..'

He set it down on the flat surface of the window and spun it, then looked up at Shirosaki's face. He smothered a snicker. The pale hollow's face had lit up, his eyes gone wide, and a creepily un-insane smile p1ayed on his lips.

'King, how'd ya DO that? Do it again! Show me show me!' he looked like he was trying really hard to keep from jumping up and down.

'Kurosaki..you did good…'

'you just pinch this part between your fingers, and turn them real fast like this' he said releasing it again. His pale counterpart caught it in his index and thumb finger and spun it so fast it bounced off the glass. He nearly sqealed.

'..well that..went a lot better then I thought..'

He felt light inside, he'd made Shirosaki happy, he guessed that's a good thing.

He liked the non chaotic smile on the hollow's face.

Shiro was ecstatic with his new toy. And oddly he felt..flattered?..that king had noticed he liked to spin. It felt nice to be noticed for once. And the top was cool too. But the attention was better. He liked these little lessons, even after just two, he found himself looking forward to the next. It was probably just because it gave him something to do..or maybe-

'Oi, hollow, I'm leaving now, have fun with that..whatever..heh..'

'see ya, king'

'why do you go?