I am a terrible updater…I apologize. Broken computers, college, work, the list of excuses could go on. I will try to update this sooner next time, but there are no promises. It was hard just getting this out. I was on a roll with writing, but I've lost it. I am fighting to get it back though. Hope you enjoy It's a little shorter than what I would like, but this fic needed to be updated.

I know nothing about traveling outside the country or how visas work when trying to enter America, let's just pretend this is how it works? Great!

This is for Love Tifa who restored my faith in my writing. Ya'll should check out her fics, they are unbelievably phenomenal…

CHAPTER 5

Orihime packed her bags with only the necessities. Her long-distanced relatives were older and were all too pleased to hear their relative wanted to come visit them, especially since she could help out with their big home in America. They were happy she had shown such an interest in them, and that they could get her into an American high school and see her graduate and go off to college. They were lonely and had been searching for a new companion since their own children had flown the coop long ago, and gotten caught up in the world with their jobs and friends.

It would be exciting to have someone else to take care of.

They had always wanted to come and visit her in Karakura, but they had never gotten the chance, and now they wouldn't need to.

This is what's best. This will help you move on and be better in life. There was no chance of Ichigo Kurosaki or any other reminder of her past life being in America. Orihime sighed and continued to force herself to smile and be happy. She was meeting her relatives that had been helping her all these years. They were nice enough and seemed excited to have her moving in with them. They were older but had much pull, which is why Orihime would be allowed to move to America and meet her relatives in Connecticut. It sounded like a nice place to live, and she would be getting to attend school there, once her files were transferred, which her relatives had assured her they would take care of. All she had to do was go to the airport…today…in three hours.

Orihime had written a note to Tatsuki, feeling like the world's worst friend for leaving only a note, but knowing if she talked to her, she'd lose all resolve and would stay.

Orihime needed to leave and she needed to leave now.

One day I'll come back, when I'm stronger and over everything. Orihime figured she was saying it more so that she'd go but she hoped one day she would be able to apologize in person for her actions. But right now she needed to be selfish she had to go to be better, or she'd continue to waste away here.

As she went to rip out the note, her finger slid across the edge, effectively slicing her finger open in a large paper cut. Hissing in pain, Orihime tried to ignore the pain as she rushed to leave. She was late and didn't want to miss her fight. She kept her finger curled so as to keep the blood from spilling everywhere as she rushed from the apartment and closed the door on her life in Karakura.

She refused to call on her fairies. She did not even want to see spirits anymore. She wanted a normal life again.

She would find it in America, or so she hoped.

Ichigo Kurosaki knew something big was about to happen. He had that impending feeling of absolute doom in his stomach, where it felt like he was turning into a hollow with the whole he felt there. And his heart, his heart kept beating at an increased tempo, constantly pushing adrenaline through his system. His body knew something and it was trying to convey the message to his mind, but it was getting lost in translation.

Needless to say, Ichigo was a confused mess. He was tired and aggravated and stressed. He had thought he had settled things with Orihime. He had thought he had made things right, but his body was confusing him and his hollow would not leave him alone.

Because you're being a moron, Kingy. You think that's all it would take to fix her? If it was that easy, Four Eyes woulda done it while we were gone.

Before Ichigo could respond to his hollow, yet again, he turned as a Hell butterfly entered through his window.

The message was short, but it sent a hard, icy chill down his spine. Soul Society would be sending someone to take the first report on the status of Orihime Inoue, and Ichigo was expected to lead them to her and prove she was not the liability she had been deemed.

Before Ichigo could go into full-out panic mode, Toshiro Hitsugaya entered his room in all his proper Captain-ness.

"Why'd they send you?" Ichigo asked, hoping to stall.

"Because, Kurosaki, I have had contact with her and Head Captain believes I will see any noticeable change in her," replied the Captain in his normal, icy tone.

Ichigo had been hoping Matsumoto would be the one to check in, one because she would probably help Orihime, and two, because if things weren't exactly perfect, she wouldn't be as likely to report it.

"I'm waiting to see Inoue Orihime, Kurosaki." Ichigo matched Toshiro's glare.

"Alright, I'm just getting ready." Kami, please let Inoue be alright, if not, we're screwed.

YOU'RE screwed, Kingy. But don't worry, anyone tries to touch the princess and I'LL make an appearance.

Shut up, you're not helping. And you'll stay away and leave Inoue alone!

"Still waiting Kurosaki…"

Ichigo bit his tongue, telling himself that pissing the Ice King off would not help Inoue.

As they neared her apartment, both in Soul Reaper form, they felt multiple spiritual pressures at Inoue's apartment.

Tatsuki was upset, in a cross between rage and heartbreak, and Chad and Ishida stood near her both staring sat something in her hands.

"What's going on?" Ichigo asked as they entered the apartment, the door having been left open.

"Ichigo? What are you doing here? When did you come back? ARE YOU THE ONE WHO DID THIS?" Tatsuki roared. She lunged for Ichigo, but was held back by Chad, who kept an arm around her waist, and tried to calm her down.

"What-" but Ichigo stopped, just now noticing that the one person he really needed to see right now was the only one not present. "Where's Inoue?"

"I believe that is your duty, Kurosaki," Toshiro stated, showing his displeasure and warning in his tone.

Ichigo's heart dropped, knowing there was no possibility this scenario was ending on a positive note.

Fear gripped his heart, for he knew Toshiro was going to report this, more out of duty than spite, but reporting it nonetheless.

"It appears that Inoue-san is gone, though we are unsure if it was willingly," Ishida stated calmly, though it was forced. He was unsure of the entire situation, but seeing Ichigo's scowling expression coupled with fear and the Soul Reaper Captain, told Ishida that the group of spiritually-aware teens were about to face yet another trying battle.

"What do you mean gone?" Ichigo asked. "And, wait, willingly?"

"There is blood."

"Blood?" Toshiro questioned, striding over towards Ishida who handed the note Tatsuki had dropped when she lunged for Ichigo.

Ichigo subconsciously noticed the note was addressed to Tatsuki, and felt hurt, although he wouldn't understand why until later.

His heart was busy having an attack at how wrong this situation was going.

Tatsuki,

I'm sorry, but I have to leave again. I love you like a sister. Thank you for being my friend.

-Orihime

The edge of the note had a drop of dark red, which Ichigo realized to be blood.

"Well, this changes everything," Toshiro noted, preparing to leave….

And that's where my creativity ends…sort of. I think I know where this is going. Haha, so maybe another update soon? I hope so.

Thank you all again.