The next day at school was just like any other day except when class started there was no sign of Ichigo, Rukia, Ishida and Chad. "They must be out fighting a hollow or something. I hope they are alright." All through out the school day she anticipated Ichigo to show up but he never did.
After school Orihime and her best friend did the same routine and when she got home is was also the same thing. Gosh it was a beautiful Friday evening her plans were to curl up to her manga and enjoy the rest of the night reading. She just got done washing her dirty dishes when she heard a familiar voice.
"Inoue…Inoue are you here?" She walks into her living room to see Ichigo standing just a few feet from her window. "Kurosaki kun…" that was all she was able to say when she was interrupted, "Rukia is hurt I need you to heal her…please." Without hesitation Ichigo swooped Orihime in his arms and jumped out into the cold of night. They arrived onto a building not to far from her house. She didn't waste anytime and begun to heal her. Orihime glanced up at Ichigo who was looking at Rukia with concern and hurt in his eyes.
Orihime couldn't figure out which hurt the most, Ichigo's pride for not protecting Rukia? Rukia's body which seemed to be slashed and cut ever? Or her own breaking heart which felt so unwanted? After healing Rukia who was still kind of shaky tried to get up and move on her own. She thanked Orihime for healing and told Ichigo to take her home.
Orihime protested, "No Kurosaki kun it is alright you should take Rukia home she needs rest. My house it but 3 blocks away I can do it." Ichigo jumped in, "No Inoue I don't want you walking home alone at night. You don't know what kind of perv is out there and you don't know what he might do when he sees a beautiful girl out at night." Orihime felt her face burn as she tried to hide it.
Ichigo continued talking, "I will carry Rukia and walk you home." "That is quite alright Ichigo, but Rukia needs her rest. You take her home and I will take Orihime home" Ishida says adjusting his glasses. Ichigo nods as he picks up Rukia the way a husband would do his bride and fades off into the night. Ishida then indicated to Orihime to start their journey to her house.
Their walk home is different from her and Ichigo's walks these two always talked. "Orihime I see that you haven't been showing up for the battles lately why?" There was silence and Ishida continued, "Orihime you are not in the way. You are part of our team. You are very important; you make our little team complete. And it was Ichigo that noticed he has continued to bring it up. Your healing powers help us to continue to fight."
Orihime looks up at Ishida with shock in her eyes (Kurosaki kun noticed I wasn't there?) "Thank you Uryu kun" was all Orihime managed to say and put on a big smile. Ishida knew he had to make Orihime feel wanted, "Rukia mentioned of a something big coming it is different from anything else we ever faced having you there would help us all out." Orihime smiled, "Yes I will be there. Thank you." That night Orihime slept a whole lot better than she usual did.
The next few days were nothing special just the regular battles. Sometime Orihime went to battles and others she didn't. Orihime walks into class she knew today she would be alone since Tatsuki was out sick. Everyone entered the classroom even Ichigo and Rukia. "They always seem to be happy with each other it is like they are made for each other" she thought to herself as she took a seat.
"Good morning students I would like to introduce our new student Fukiyami Tenchi. "Tenchi you may have a seat next to Inoue Orihime. Inoue…Inoue" the teacher calls as Orihime snaps back to reality. Tenchi walks over to her and takes a seat, "Hello there Orihime" Tenchi smiles. Orihime looks up at him, "Oh hello…ummmm" she felt stupid knowing she didn't catch his name. "You can call me Tenchi" she smiles, "Okay Tenchi kun." The rest of the class period went by nicely as Orihime enjoyed talking to Tenchi. He was so open with her out of this world mind and crazy ideas.
The gang gathered around their usual hangout on top the roof. "Where's Orihime?" Chad asked. Everyone strutted their shoulders, "She is probably doing something or gone to see Tatsuki" Rukia stated. Everyone sat down expect Ichigo, "I will not eat until I know where Inoue is" he thought to himself. "I am just gonna go check it out just to make sure" and ran down the stairs to the hallway.
Ichigo ran up and down the halls and check every classroom every bench area on school grounds. He was walking out to the field area, "Inoue where are you?" In the distance he could see her she was sitting down with Tenchi laughing and eating. He felt something inside him boil as he walks over to them trying to control his anger. "Oi Inoue everyone was waiting for you what are you doing?"
Orihime looks up at him, "Oh Kurosaki kun I was just having lunch with Tenchi kun. He is very nice I am sorry I didn't tell anyone he just asked me when I was on my way to you guys and Tenchi kun's cooking is superb." Ichigo turns to face Tenchi he doesn't know why but every time he looks at hi he wants to punch his face in. "Okay suit yourself" Ichigo waves over his shoulder as he turns to walk away.
Orihime sees the anger in Ichigo's expression she refuses the urge to run after him, "I'm sorry Kurosaki kun I wish you knew how much I love you." Orihime turns back to Tenchi who feels guilty, "I am sorry if I am taking you away from you friends you can go if you want too I know we just meet but I feel like I know you forever. I just feel happy when I am with Orihime chan."
Orihime is shocked by his response she blushes, "Oh Tenchi kun thank you I am glad we are friends Tatsuki chan will be out for awhile so with you I wont feel so lonely. I love my friends but ever since we all got back from our trip everything seems weird, but I am happy." The two get done eating and walk to class together. The gang is also walking when they notice the two walking, "Aw man Orihime and that new kid Tenchi are very cute together. I think they like each other don't you think?" Rukia squeals.
Ichigo tries to hold back his anger and shrugs his shoulders, "I don't like that guy, I have a bad feeling about him" "Oh don't be like that" Rukia says hitting Ichigo on the shoulder and walk into class. After school Orihime and Tenchi were walking off together, "Orihime chan is it okay if I walk you home?" Orihime smiles as she agrees to let her new friend walk her home. All during class Ichigo watches as Orihime and Tenchi are talking and laughing and now he clenches his fists as he sees the two of them walk off together.