Here you are! I hope that everyone is enjoying this story, sorry for the typos, I try to catch as much as I can, but seeing as I have no Beta… you get the idea.

Disclaimer: Bleach is © Tite Kubo

Recap:

Orihime turned towards Ichigo, and smiled half-heartedly, "Bye Ichigo. I'll see you. Don't worry about me." Fear was coursing through her entire body as she leaned into hug him one last time. She didn't want to be separated from him, but she knew that it was what she needed to do to be stronger. With a final squeeze Ichigo let go of her and watched as she and Rukia stepped into the pathway, and the door was shut.

Chapter 6

Orihime ran after Rukia as they made it into the pathway through the worlds.

It seemed ironic, that even with the Hell's Butterfly, they had to run, but it felt good at the same time. If only she could run away from her problems as easily as this. But that would never happen, and to wish that, would only make her weaker, and she needed to be strong.

When Rukia opened the gate, they walked straight into the Soul Society.

The two girls were greeted by a group of people that made Orihime cringe. Exactly how many people knew? She quickly pushed the fear and embarrassment aside. All of these girls were her allies. Rangiku and Rukia were even her close friends.

Rangiku watched as Orihime stepped forward and slowly smiled at her. The young girl had seemed to age by years in the past months, and Rangiku could understand how she felt.

As a teenager, she had been raped and abused when Gin had left. Gin had been her protection, and her safe haven. Yet he walked away time after time, leaving her to fend for herself. It had made her strong, but she didn't want to be strong because for those reasons. And the blonde wasn't going to let Orihime choose the path that she had. Drinking only brought the pain back, and neglect created bitterness. She loved Gin, and forgave him time and time again, but his abandonment had fashioned her into a person with two faces. Orihime didn't deserve that fate. The young girl was going to smile again, and heal.

Walking to Rangiku, Orihime slowly began to tense. What if Rangiku hated her for being around Gin? Did she think that Orihime and Gin— No. Rangiku wouldn't blame her, even if that had happened. Come to think of it, Rangiku would probably kill Gin herself.

"Orihime Inoue, I am glad to see that you made it safely." A soft and gentle voice said to her left. She turned and saw the Captain of squad four, Ritsu Unohana.

Orihime bowed towards the Captain shyly.

"Yes, thank you."

"No need to thank me. Now, if you would be willing to come with me. Rangiku, I believe I may need your assistance as well." The Captain's voice was sweet, yet there was a tone that left no room for argument. Not that Orihime would ever consider going against this woman.

The three women left and Rukia stayed behind watching as her friend made her way towards Unohana-taichou's office.

She sighed, then turned away and made her way back towards the gate.

She was going to make sure Ichigo didn't fly off the handle. He usually did where Orihime was concerned.

.

.

Ichigo's heart sank as the doors vanished, cutting him off from Orihime.

This was good for her, she needed to be able to depend on herself and others, not just him. He couldn't always be there, and this situation was further proof of that. He just hated being parted from her.

After a month of having her there twenty-four hours a day, it was odd not having her company.

It felt… empty.

He mentally cursed himself for being so sentimental. He wasn't going to let this get him down. He was Ichigo, a man. He wasn't going to let himself be depressed over the absence of a woman. His woman.

Tch. Is the King feeling a little lonely? I could keep you occupied.

The bastard was back.

How do you suppose that's going to work?Ichigo sneered, it could be worse, but the guy was seriously annoying. He'd take Kon over it.

"Come to think of it, where is Kon? Oh yeah, he's in the drawer at home as a pill. I suppose that's for the best, but he'll never leave me alone about being cooped up in a pill for a month."

"Talking to yourself, Ichigo?" Rukia stood staring him, with a smug look on her face. "I didn't think the hollow had taken that much of your mind."

"Why you—" He began, glaring at her. He wasn't in the mood for this.

"Oi! Ichigo, don't start threatening and glaring at my fiancé!" Renji walked over pretending to scowl.

"I am not your fiancé!" Rukia stated crossing her arms over her chest.

Renji slowly began to smirk, "Well that's not what you said last night when I asked you to marry me. I am pretty sure that you said yes."

"Y-y-you tricked me! I would have said yes to anything, it wasn't fair!" She snapped back, her face bright red. "Besides, you haven't asked my brother yet!"

"Asked me what Rukia, Lieutenant Abari?" The cold voice held some smug arrogance, and part of Ichigo wanted to feel bad for the two of them, but honestly, it was too amusing. It was also getting his mind off of everything else.

"Oh, Brother…"

Rukia nervously looked over at her elder brother.

Oh please, don't ask Renji.

.

.

Orihime silently followed Unohana to the office and sat down next to Rangiku.

The Captain walked around and sat in a chair across from them. She knew the basics of what had happened to the poor girl.

A month had passed, and while she could see that the child had attempted to 'heal' herself by suppressing the memories, she had not truly accepted the pain and allowed herself to heal. She suspected the young girl blamed herself as many victims did, but she'd have to hear from Orihime first, and know exactly how many times she had been abused.

"Orihime Inoue, I need you to answer some questions. First off, you were held for approximately a week, correct?"

Unohana was a kind woman, and she didn't like making her relive the moments, however, she needed to hear from Orihime.

As Orihime was asked the questions, she began to feel more comfortable. It wasn't so hard to answer. She told everything, her anger, sadness, fear, and the way she had felt when Ulquiorra had been the one. The emotions and experiences were put into words, at some points she cried, and others she felt empty. Rangiku and Unohana listened and let her speak like she had never with Ichigo. Orihime explained to them the guilt she had over causing so many problems for the Ichigo and her friends. Each word brought her closer to sanity, and it seemed as if she was building herself a raft to save her from drowning.

It had happened and it would always be in the back of her mind, if not in the front, but she knew that she had to accept that it had happened and not blame herself. Unohana told her this, and Rangiku stayed by her the entire time, guilt pouring over her head. Guilt was like swimming in pudding she decided, you just waited for it to cover your head, and drown you. You couldn't move, and couldn't escape no matter where you went.

The voice stayed mercifully quiet throughout the entire explanation, and Orihime couldn't help but to feel relieved.

.

.

Ichigo quickly escaped from the drama, and made his way home. It wasn't his business anyway. He had school the next day, and he had to ask his father to make a sick note for Orihime so he could get her work for her. It was no good to let her fall behind even more than she already was. Then he'd be able to make sure that she was doing okay under the guise that he merely wanted to have her work given to her. Yeah, that would work, wouldn't it?

He prayed that Orihime would be able to heal under the supervision of Unohana. Ichigo didn't think that he'd be able to watch her be in pain without breaking himself much longer.

.

.

A/N:

This chapter has to be a little shorter, still over 1,300 words though. : / sorry guys, but it was early. ^_^ be proud of the typical writer. We tend to procrastinate and have issues with characters. I tried to keep them in character, and I hope I did okay. Please tell me what you think. As for Rangiku, there is a mention in the manga that something had happened to her, so I used it to my advantage. I added a little Renruki love, because they are just too cute. This chapter was not 'hot off the press' I did look it over, however I may have missed some things.

As for the next chapter…it will be up soon enough, the plot fairy has gifted me with her presence and I am on a writing spree at the moment. I hope everyone likes green-eyed monsters, because I do! Also, please tell me which name you like the best for a male. Also thank you for all the follows, and favorites. It makes this Ciara happy. I love you all!

Votes so far:

Tsubaba Kaito- 1

Shirou Kaito - 1

Ryou Kaito -0

The vote is in your hands. ^-^

RainingLight1: Thank you for the review Hun, and don't worry about babbling, I do it all the time if you can't tell. ^-^ and thanks for the good luck wishes. I know how you feel about the classes… I barely made it my Junior year, I took Honors Physics, Alg 2, and Adv Lit…then a lot of others I can't remember, :/ I'm sure you'll do well; if I can get straight A's in all my classes then you can too.

Nypsy: Hello again. You have me found out. Oops I didn't say that. *grins*. Anyway thanks for the review. I hope that you continue to like and read the story.