Everyone! This is the new beta-ed version of chapter six by TheLastGirlOnTheWrite!

WARNING: THIS IS NOT THE NEXT CHAPTER!

Okay...It's official. I'll be going on a temporary hiatus until November 15 so there will be no updates until then. I'm really sorry everyone but I got to keep up with my other commitments too-so please don't abandon this story! But I still love you guys so I'll try to upload two or three chapter on the 15th to make up for the lost time...Until then, farewell!

XxLonexLovexX: I was thinking about that too but I wasn't really sure which name you preferred so I went with the safer one...Lol Anyways no problem. I love adding random tidbits like that into the story even if it is a bit distracting. That's just my personality.

HEART-AS-COLD-AS-FIRE: You're too generous! My writing's still very amateurish. There's always room to grow and practice makes perfect!

mosspaw: Next time I update, I'll try to get you in on the action too.

Turtle-chan666: i don't mind your rambling. I do that too ALOT! Okierdokers I'll PM you if you feel more comfortable that way.

Somerlia: No need to feel sorry. I HEART your reviews. Your descriptions bring a smile on my face.

nypsy: Jealousy will be the seed of chaos in this story. Spoiler: Renji will somehow get mixed into this love triangle. However I kinda feel sorry for him because it will be unrequited love.

Minazuki-Shihouin: It was kinda rushed. I was in a rush to squeeze in a last update before going on a hiatus so...yeah. And Somerlia and XxLonexLovexX are other reviewers for this fic. LOL...

Teruhime: I like cat fights...MEOW. Rukia will get an epiphany and Renji will definitely play a part in it.

PENNNY2009: Thank you. I already finished the outline so there will be a steady update as of the November 15! There will be ten more chapters without this one included. This is just the beta-ed version of chapter six.

Fostersb: Nemu needs a prince charming as well. We'll see.

bleachbunny3: Totally.

Rivendell101:Renji's kinda got it bad. He's starting to develop a crush on Orihime...

yoyogigi125: Aww... I'm sorry. There's going to be no new chapters until the fifteenth.

WestAnimeBrigade: Thanks!

Maddiebug: I'm glad this story made you feel better. Hope you get well soon. BTW, my OTP's IchiHIme too. Just a hint. OF COURSE they'll end up together!

Marvolo-san: I'm a strange one too. I know. I agree it's not my favourite Ichihime moment but it's an important step in their relationship.

Thanks everyone for your wonderful reviews. It really makes my day so much brighter and fuller. And don't forget to thank TheLastGirlOnTheWrite for being a wonderful beta-reader!

Day five: Breaking out of the shell

Rukia was screaming for her life. Someone was chasing her with a Valentino high heel shoe. When she ended up in a corner, with nowhere else to run, Rukia slowly turned around.

"Who are you?" Rukia asked.

"Someone who's gonna beatyou up until you're purple all over."

"Wait! Don't start without me!" Another voice said. "I'm XxLonexLovexX."

"Oh, nice to meet you. I'm Somerlia." Somerlia replied to XxLonexLovexX.

"Please, I beg you! I'll give you anything you want! Let me go!" Rukia wailed. She was so frightened her legs collapsed underneath her. Somerlia and XxLonexLovexX looked at each other. They rolled up their sleeves. Somerlia began to pelt Rukia with the stilettos and XxLonexLovexX punched Rukia's pretty face until it was unrecognizable. When they were done, Rukia had a bloody nose, several broken ribs and her body was badly mangled up.

That was when Rukia woke up screaming. She just had a nightmare where she was getting beaten up with a high heel shoe. Someone who went with the name Somerlia was beating her up with the shoes and another called XxLonexLovexX punched her in the face until it was looked remotely similar to that of Frankenstein. Everyone else woke up startled by her scream. It was only eight in the morning. Everyone groaned.

"Geesh, you're a screamer." Grimmjow glared. Rukia threw her pillow at him.

That was when the PA system came on again, carrying with it Urahara's far too jovial voice.

"Good morning, students! After some discussion, we have decided that for doing such a good job at the fashion show yesterday, despite our unexpected finale,you guys deserve a little break. There's a party set up in the gymnasium for all of you to enjoy."

Everyone raised their eyebrows at that. Urahara was giving them a day off?

What was the catch?

After a few nervous glances at her fellow students, Nel finally sighed before deciding to address the problem at hand.

"Urahara… why won't you let us go out? I mean, we've been cooped up in here for DAYS! If we're supposed to be getting a break, then why not let us go home?"

"I'm afraid I can't allow that. As much as I would like to put you all on the honour-system, I know for a fact that if I let you out, you won't come back and all of my effort will have been wasted!" Urahara replied with far too much cheer for a kidnapper.

Several growls and groans filled the air, but no one moved to leave the room. After a few minutes of awkward silence, a muffled 'Che' was heard before a young man with bright orange hair decided to lie back down.

"I'm not going."

Stunned silence filled the room for a moment before the intercom again spoke up.

"Yes you are, Kurosaki-san."

"Oh, really? Make me."

With that the unruly teen rolled over, fully intent on going back to sleep, and would have done just that if an exaggerated sigh hadn't just rolled out from the PA system.

"Well, Kurosaki, I really didn't want to resort to this, but I'm afraid you leave me no choice. Everyone, if you would be so kind as to go to your desks and check inside, I believe you will find a wonderful slip of pink paper."

Everyone looked back at the intercom in disbelief with the exception of Uryu Ishida. The book-smart teen winced, knowing full well what was likely on those pieces of other's looked worriedly towards their desks before even Ichigo found curiosity getting the better of him. One by one they made their way to their respective seats, each reaching in to search the space before them.

To their collective surprise there was indeed a small, pink envelope hidden away for each person. They all wasted little time in opening the envelopes, and each immediately wished they hadn't. As each student read the seemingly harmless note they noticeably paled and the room fell deathly silentbefore the intercom again broke through the chilled atmosphere.

"Do I need to say anymore?" Urahara asked. Most of the students merely shook their heads in the negative, not trusting their voices at the moment.

One, however, was unable to be silent.

"But how?" Nemu yelled, her voice threaded with shame and threatening tears, "I never told anyone except for Rukia! How could you know this?"

"Let's just say, I have my sources." Was Urahara's only reply.

"So…you're blackmailing us?" Grimmjow spoke in disgust as he ripped his paper to shreds.

"Not exactly. I'm just showing you a hypothetical consequence. Like, say for example, Kurosaki here decided to not participate in today's activities. If that were to happen, I would have no way of guaranteeing that a few hundred of those little slips of paper wouldn't suddenly appear all over the school as soon as classes start again. However, if Kurosaki does participate, then I can guarantee that such a thing will not happen. Now, children, go and have some fun. You should be enjoying it while you can."

Everyone shivered but did as they were told and started heading towards the gymnasium with the exception of Orihime, who had to stop by the washroom first.

In the Gym, everyone was impressed. There was a disco ball for dancing, food, video games and even a karaoke machine all set up just for them. However, despite the festive atmosphere the students still felt a bit nervous and exposed.

Nemu quickly found herself to be far more agitated than the rest of the unwilling group. She excused herself and went to the washroom hoping to calm down enough to keep from making a fool of herself again. When she entered the bathroom, however, she found Orihime still hiding out inside. When Orihime turned and saw Nemu standing in the doorway she remembered all the times Nemu and Rukia would chase her down and attack her in the bathroom. The frightened girl's body suddenly started shaking, but just before Orihime's instinct to bolt for the door was about to take over Nemu gently grabbed her arm.

"Orihime…can… can I have a word with you?" Nemu asked with her eyes downcast in shame.

"I…I…W…what did I do this time?" Orihime stuttered, trying to calm down and hide her shaken nerves.

"I…" Nemu swallowed before taking a deep breath to steady herself, "I want to apologize for everything that's happened. I know I probably don't deserve to be forgiven, but after all the horrible things I've done to you I just want you to know that I'm sorry. I've always regretted doing those mean things to you." Nemu's eyes were swimming with tears as she finally looked up to match Orihime's gaze, "I'm so sorry."

"Nemu…" Orihime smiled despite the moisture gathering on her eyelids, "I…"

Words failed Orihime at that moment, so she did the next best thing and pulled the crying girl into a hug. From that moment on, the two formed a new friendship that was stronger than crazy glue. As the tears finally let up, the pairwasted no time in chattering like old friends meeting for the first time in years.

"…so I always thought Rukia was all that, but she's just sofake. Orihime, it was Rukia who cut your dress up. She told me if I tell anyone about this, she's going to tell everyone my secret but I still thought you should know." Nemu told her new friend, and upon hearing this Orihime's eyes flashed with understanding.

"Wait…Nemu, was this secret the one that you mentioned to Principal Urahara this morning?"

"Yes. Why?"

"He knew one of my biggest secret too. I never told anyone so far."

"Wow…he must be really serious about us staying at this school."

"I know."

"I think I can trust you. No. I already trust you, Orihime. I never told this to anyone except for Rukia and I know it's crazy but I feel so much closer to you than I ever felt toher." Nemu giggled but the mirthful gesture didn't reach her eyes. "You saw my father yesterday, right?"

"Yes. He looked a bit stoic."

"Stoic? You call that stoic? You're too nice. I call that…" Nemu felt tears suddenly falling down her cheeks again, "…He wasn't always like that. There was a time when…I had a happy family. But one day, my father decided to get married again. The woman had a son from a previous marriage and he became my step-brother." Nemu looked into Orihime's eyes despite the freely flowing tears. "I was raped by my step brother when I was fourteen and I became pregnant. Ever since, my own father couldn't even look at me in the eye. He blames me for breaking up the family again." Nemu cried silently as Orihime held her hands and tried to comfort her.

"Nemu…it's alright. Just let it out." Orihime soothed her remembering what Ichigo whispered into her ears. "Nemu, I'm pretty sure that's not true. Your father's only acts that way because he loves you. He's probably feelsthat it's his fault that you had to go through something so horrible."

"You really think so?" Nemu asked, a tiny glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"I know so. I should tell you the secret that was on my pink slip of paper too. You see… I…I was adopted by my parents when I was twelve. I never had parents before that. My brother raised me but when he passed on, I had to go to a foster home and my parents they saw me there and they adopted me. I felt so grateful. Usually people stay away from adopting big kids." Orihime told Nemu.

"Wow. I would've never guessed that." Nemu replied, "Look, Orihime, I'm so sorry for everything I did to you."

"It's alright Nemu. I already forgave you. You don't have to say sorry to me anymore." Orihime replied. Nemu was about to say sorry yet again, but they heard someone open the nearby door.

"Well, well, well… aren't we getting emotional?" Rukia stormed into the washroom and immediately shoved Orihime to a wall. "You, bitch, stay away from Ichigo. He's only being nice to you because he feels sorry for you or maybe he just wanted an easy lay. Who wouldn't? You're so pathetic and stupid. Nobody wants you. You just said it yourself that you're an…orphan. Even your parents didn't want you." Rukia sneered, but the look turned to one of shock when a sharp pain erupted on her cheek.

Orihime had slapped her.

"I…I'm not stupid" Orihime spoke in a small whisper, but her voice was laced with a quiet, angry hurt, "I'm n…not stupid, and I'm not pathetic either. I'm not pathetic! I'M NOT STUPID! I'M NOT UNWANTED!" Orihime's voice grew louder and louder, the sound emboldening her further. "YOU'RE WRONG RUKIA! It's not ME nobody wants… ITS YOU! You're being awful to everyone else because you're feeling sorry for yourself! ISN'T THAT RIGHT? I know my parents aren't my biological parents, but at least they're THERE for me! They've always treated me like their own daughter but you…your own brother, he always chose work over you, didn't he?"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Rukia screamed, hurt and enraged by just how close to home those words rang. Without thinking she pounced on Orihime and started hitting her. Nemu, who up till this point was watching to the side, quickly pulled Rukia off of Orihime.

"Orihime, get out of here…Hurry, go!" Nemu urged her new friend to leave as she struggled holding a hysterically screaming Rukia back.

"Nemu…?"

"Just go! I'll handle this." Orihime quickly ran out of the washroom and to the gym, looking for help. As she entered the room she quickly grabbed onto the first boy she could find.

"Renji, please. Do you have a moment?" Orihime began in a slight panic but Ichigo interrupted her.

"Orihime what is it?" Ichigo muttered, trying and failing to hide the heat in his voice. As he approached the distressed girl he grabbed Orihime's hand and pulled it from Renji's arm with slightly more force than necessary.

"I…" Orihime's head was spinning. She actually thought it would be best that Renji stop Rukia because he knew since he was little and should be able to calm her down.

"What do you think you're doing, Kurosaki?" Renji threatened Ichigo, who growled in response as he grabbed Renji by the collar.

"Will you guys stop it?" Orihime yelled, surprising everyone. "I need help! Nemu needs help! Rukia might be…Please!" Orihime stammered nervously. The frightened look in her eyes was enough to stop everything else as everyone ran to the girls' washroom. There they found Rukia pounding into Nemu as though her life depended on it. Renji quickly picked Rukia up despite her kicking and screaming for him to release her while everyone else moved to help Nemu out of the bathroom.

Before they could leave, however, Ichigo pulled Orihime aside and waited for the room to clear out. When they were finally alone, the young punk spoke up.

"I don't understand."

"What do you mean you don't understand?" Orihime asked back, becoming slightly confused by his behaviour.

"I want to know what's going on between you and Renji…" Ichigo whispered before growling to himself and shaking his head in anger, "You know what? Forget it. I don't care. That's not my problem. It's not like you mean anything to me."

"What?" Orihime suddenly felt like fainting from the young man's heated words, "Then…why?"

"Why what? Why did I help you out? Why did I act like I actually cared?" Ichigo's voice quietly seethed, though he wasn't sure why he was so angry, and it quickly got the better of him, "I don't know. Maybe I just wanted an easy lay?"

Ichigo immediately regretted saying those words as felt his cheek stinging. Orihime had slapped him like she slapped Rukia earlier on.

"Rukia was right about you. I told her she was wrong but she…she was right about everything." Orihime cried, angry and hurt, "And all this time I thought someone actually liked me. And all this time, I truly liked you too." Ichigo's eyes went wide at Orihime's confession, but his heart sank with what she said next.

"But it doesn't matter anymore. I hate you. I never hated anyone like this before but…I HATE YOU!" With that last statement, Orihime ran off as Ichigo stood there dumbfounded. He felt his heart breaking into million pieces, stabbing into him like tiny shards of glass. He couldn't believe how he let his jealousy get ahead of him and managed to get the only girl he truly felt for to hate his guts. He felt depressed, like the life has been sucked out of him. As he continued to stare at the door that Orihime had just fled through, Ichigo could only hang his head in shock and shame, his heart crushed in defeat.