~Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo~

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previous chapter...

"Stop it Orihime, you're like my sister. I would do anything for you, you don't need to thank me." I smiled at her, Rangiku literally just saved my life.

Chp 4

Novi

"So Hime, how was your day?" She asked me.

"I've had better days," I responded. There was no way I was going to tell her the whole story anytime soon, but I knew she understood. It's not like she wasn't keeping anything from us either. Humming in response, she opened up the door to her house.

"Rangikuuuu! Lunch Is ready!" Mrs. Matsumoto yelled from the kitchen.

"Orihime's over!" Rangiku yelled back.

"Welcome welcome Hime! Foods ready!" Mrs. Matsumoto yelled.

"STOP YELLING," a voice was heard from upstairs.

"Sorry Shiro!" The mother and daughter pair yelled in sync.

Holding back a giggle, I walked to there kitchen. "Thank you Mrs. Matsumoto!"

"Any time Orihime, I made red bean paste stew! I hope your hungry!"

"Always am!" Orihime said before being pulled upstairs by the one and only Rangiku.

After having a wonderful lunch and doing homework, my fatigue from yesterday and today caught up to me. I ended up passing out cold on Rangiku's desk.

"Oh hime, there's a bed right there..." She whispered to me. Skipping dinner since Rangiku's efforts of trying to wake me up were in vain, I caught up on all my sleep. We had school the next morning and I had managed to wake on my own. Before entering the bathroom, I grabbed a pair of extra school attire and took a quick shower. In a rush, I forgot to look in the mirror when I put my clothing on.

"Sorry for sleeping in Rangiku, I'm such a heavy sleeper! Good thing you took a shower before me right?"

"It's alright Hime, anywa-" turning around she stopped her sentence. The easy going expression fell from her face and one of shock took over. "O-Orihime?"

"...yes?"

"What happened?"

"I'm sorry?"

"You have a bruise," as she said that, I froze.

How could I forget?! I can't lie to her, but I can't tell her the truth. I stood there silent for a few minutes.

"Did you fall in the shower?"

"No."

"Was it on accident?" She further questioned.

"We're going to be late for school Rangiku.."

"Is this why you wanted to stay over? Orihime are your parents hurting you?"

"Rangiku were going to be late for school! This was nothing, can I just borrow some makeup?"

"Y-yeah," walking to her drawer she handed me her bag.

The walk to school was awkward and silent, I could tell Rangiku was waiting for me to say something, but I wasn't ready. I felt bad I was keeping this from her, but I just couldn't say anything. Rangiku's also not the type to spread this around school or tell anyone else, so I wasn't worried about that. I was just hoping for now she would just not bring it up...

"Do you want to come over again?" She asked me.

"N-no it's fine thank you though."

"Orihime, I'm being serious. This isn't something you can expect me to just drop..."

"I know and I'm sorry but please just- it's too soon, I promise I'll be more careful."

"Can we talk after school?"

"Yeah," I gave her a small smile letting her know everything was okay.

As I walked into class and sat in my seat, I began to think over all that's happened. I can't go back to that house. I'd been saving up money here and there throughout the years and Sora would bring me large amounts after he would visit. I could use that as a scape goat for now and start looking for a job.
I could finally get away, on my own.

"Miss. Inoue," Mrs. Oto called my name.

"Yes?"

"You are wanted at the office," she said.

"A-alright," Rangiku couldn't have? No she's not like that, but what if? May be it's something else? 'Ooohs' were heard and 'the smart girl got in trouble.'

Walking out of the class room, all eyes were on me. Including Tatsuki and Ichigo, who both had a worried expression on there face. As I made my way to the office I couldn't help the goosebumps I got. Stepping into the cubicle, I didn't know what to expect.

"Orihime?" I heard my name called.

"Sora!" Turning around, I saw the form of my brother.

"Sora..." Running up to him, I gave him a hug. "I missed you," I said into his chest.

"I missed you too little one, how ya been?"

I didn't respond.

"Orihime?"

"I'm so happy your here!"

"What happened?" He questioned.

Looking up at him, with my face alone he saw this wasn't the place to talk.

"Alright, well I signed you out of school for the day. I only have a few hours of a break and then.. Well work calls."

"There's this new cafe, you will love it!" Walking together my brother told me about all he's done for the past few months, keeping out larger details and such.

"So what happened when I was gone?" I could tell he wanted to know but I saw a twinge of guilt on his expression.

"Sora, this non of it is your fault."

"Orihime." He warned. Sighing I began. I told him about mom leaving and dad acting up, I kept the beating part out.

"I-I'm scared, I don't want to be there when he does something to hurt me. So I'm planning to find my own place, I have money saved up so I'll be fine for the next few months and I'll get a job, it'll be fine." I was trying to convince the both of us.

"I'll help you," Sora said to me.

"Thank you," I whispered back.

"So he hasn't touched you?"

"No," I tried to sound convincing. Looking at the watch on his wrist he sighed, "Alright, well I have to go now. Be careful Hime, I love you." Giving me a hug, he passed me an envelope.

My allowance.

I spent the rest of the day looking for a place I could call home. I managed to find a small run down apartment, but it was much better then where I lived with father. It was cramped and not in the best of neighborhoods, but I didn't care. It was a little farther from my school, but it was something I could deal with.

It was perfect.

I could start all over again here, I was safe. Splitting up my remaining money, I had the rent for the next few months and the pay for food. I had just enough left for clothing, all I needed now was a job. Sighing, I walked over to the small mattress with stains on it. Lying down, I felt so free.

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until next time,

loverofliterature_111