A/N: Hi everyone so sorry it took long to update. I was out of the country for a while and had no internet access. Then I finally got back and got sick :( I will update again before the month is over so look out for it within the next week. I hope you enjoy this chapter and thanks for reading :)

The man watching the panic ensue below, from the skies was none other than Aizen. He smirked thinking of the ways he could make everyone suffer. 'Soon enough you will lose everything.' And with that a cloud passed below him before he disappeared.

He was now back at his lair Las noches in hueco muendo, where he spent a long time building his underground fortress so no one could find it. He walked through the corridors before stopping at a figure standing in the dark.

'so is this where you have been all night? Or did you take a stroll in Karakura tonight?' Aizen asked the cloaked figure.

'what do you mean ? I've been here the whole time Aizen.' Replied the shadowed figure.

'Don't you play dumb with me! I know you warned the girl. Didn't you? That's why I had a sudden change of plans without your permission. We moved out tonight for the hogyoku….just so you are aware. I never thought you would be so fast to betray me.' Aizen said letting a smirk play on his lips. 'Oh and if you do that again, just know I wouldn't be so forgiving. I'm giving you a past this time so don't let it happen again. Do you understand Gin?'

'yes Aizen I understand. I will not betray you again.' Gin replied, calmly but stunned at Aizen's change in plans. Aizen disappeared into the darkness leaving Gin with his thoughts. I guess my efforts to warn them were in vain. I must be more discreet. I follow Aizen but I will not let him take over Karakura. If I am to redeem myself to King Urahara… What am I to do?

Everyone was still in a frenzy trying to bring the wounded through the senkaimon as the members of squad 4 were also brought in to heal them. Ichigo, Orihime, Nel and his sisters were in a corner of the room.

'There's not enough people here to tend to the wounded. At this rate –' Ichigo began .

'Ichigo….I don't mean to alarm you but I could actually heal them.' Orihime said.

'What do you mean? I know you said you know about medicinal herbs and your family comes from a long line of healers but these injuries are supernatural and can't be cured that way its much more -'

'I know Ichigo but I haven't told you the full truth…I know that you and many of the soldiers especially those in the stealth squads are called shinigami but you're not called that because you send bad people to their deaths like you lead normal people to believe. You're called shinigami because you are shinigamis. You have supernatural powers but only use them and turn into your true selves when fighting monsters like hollows. I know a lot about them they used to attack my town a lot since we bordered hueco muendo. I've seen it!' she said now meeting Ichigo's shocked eyes.

Orihime continued 'though I am a human I have reiatsu like that of a shinigami and hollow. I have powers to heal people and to shield. That's why in my town, I was shut out by many thinking that I was doing dark magic because I had these abilities. Some said I was the healing child of prophecy but many including myself only see a monster before them. I'm sure king Urahara knew the rumors….thats why he let you bring me here I'm sure….right?'

'How …. H-how did you know?' Ichigo asked. Orihime only smiled.

' I hope you don't think I'm a monster Ichigo?'

'Off course not… how could I think that. You're the same Orihime I see. I just didn't know you knew about powers….and how did you know about me being a shinigami?' Ichigo said.

' I sensed it in your reiatsu. I'd know yours anywhere.' Orihime replied. Ichigo just smiled back at her.

' I hate to interrupt this lovey-dovey moment of yours,' a man named Shinji lying close to them on the floor spoke sarcastically 'but do you think you could allow a beautiful princess such as yourself to heal me before….I don't know….I BLEED TO DEATH!' he shouted angrily as blood squirted out of his wound.

'Ahhh!' Orihime screamed 'I'm so sorry! Please stay still and I'll heal you.'

'Soten kisshun I reject!' Orihime exclaimed and Shinji was enveloped by a yellow light which formed a sort of dome around him. Ichigo watched in awe as he looked at Shinji's wound close. It was fully healed within a matter of minutes before completely disappearing leaving no trace that he had even been injured. Once he was healed the light disappeared and two yellow dots floated towards her hairpins before reforming the full flower petals.

Amazing and she had this power all this time. How could she not tell me? ….well I guess I understand she didn't want me to shut her out. Still I had no idea she was capable of something this amazing! Ichigo thought as he watched Orihime.

Orihime continued to heal people as Urahara spoke ' I'm glad that all of you are still here. We have had many casualties and will not allow their deaths to be in vain. This was a sneak attack that we weren't prepared for and since the hogyoku has been stolen and supernatural forces are now at work I ask that all the human slodiers return to their houses. All the shinigami and those with supernatural powers can stay and fight. We will move out at daybreak to invade Aizen's so called hideout along with squad members from the Seiteri. We will recover the hogyoku and bring Aizen to justice for his crimes against us.'

Later that night Ichigo and his sisters as well as Orihime went back of the house. Nel told the girls they needed to go home and rest while she stayed with Isshin at the castle, he was still being treated but should be fine soon.

Yuzu already formed a bond with Orihime as if they were sisters and Yuzu thought Ichigo and Orihime meeting was cute. Karin thought it was strange for a girl as lovely as Orihime to even have feelings for her brother but it was obvious that she did…well obvious to everyone but Ichigo. After they got home and Ichigo put Karin and Yuzu to sleep they returned to the foyer area.

'your sisters are so nice Ichigo. I'm glad you are so close with your family.'

'yeah we are. My dad on the other hand is a nut case and Nel is well…Nel.'

Nel….what is she to you Ichigo. Do you like her? Do you have feelings for her? Wait why am I having these feelings am I…jealous? Orihime thought she averted her gaze from Ichigo afraid that he might see what she was feeling.

As if to almost answer her question Ichigo began ' Nel is like a big sister I guess you can say. When my father was in hueco muendo years ago he found her wondering the forest all by herself. He took pity on her since she was alone, weak and hungry. He brought her to live with us even though she was an arrancar. Ever since then she's grown up with us and has been like our sister.'

Orihime let out an almost inaudible sigh of relief. The door then opened with Ichigo's crazy father bursting through.

'My dear son! how are you? Neliel told me you brought a lovely lady home with you. Does that mean you finally found yourself a wife and I can have beautiful grandchildren soon! I am so relieved at the rate you were going I thought you would never-' Isshin exclaimed but was interrupted by Ichigo punching him in his gut that sent him flying against the wall in a comical manner.

'Don't come to conclusions so fast without knowing anything.' Ichigo remarked kind of irritated.

Nel then came inside. 'But Ichigo she's so pretty and adorable how could you not like her? Is something wrong with you? Did you hit your head.' Nel asked.

'Stop it all of you!' Ichigo shouted, the vein on his forehead now popping out more as his face turned red from embarrassment.

'So my son…' Isshin began recovered from Ichigo's punch 'since she's been here a couple days now…have you been taking advantage of her and make her sleep in your room you sly dog, you' Isshin mocked.

'I said SHUT UP!' Ichigo shouted, now completely embarrassed by what his father was suggesting. Orihime just looked on with a flushed face trying not to be embarrassed. 'I am done…GOOD NIGHT!' Ichigo screamed and shut his door to his room.

The next morning came rather swiftly and this morning seemed like a normal morning….at least at the Kurosaki house. Nel and Yuzu were in the kitchen making breakfast, while Karin just sat at the table looking bored.

'Good morning Ichigo!' Isshin screamed and ran towards him but was stopped by Ichigo's roundhouse kick.

'How many times do I have to tell you not to start that crap in the morning! Its far too early for that!' Ichigo shouted annoyed at his father already.

'Oh my God! Are you okay Mr Kurosaki?' Orihime exclaimed not accustomed to their rough housing routine every morning.

'oh good morning Orihime. Don't worry they're like this all the time you get used to it after a while.' Karin said flatly.

'Good morning my dear child! How are you this morning?' Isshin asked.

'Don't harass her so early in the morning dad.' Ichigo said through gritted teeth.

'Don't worry my son I wouldn't steal your beautiful goddess from you.' Isshin mocked. Ichigo only grunted and slammed his head on the table. Great my day is already of to a bad start he thought.

'Yuzu do you need any help? Is there anything I should do?' Orihime asked.

'No worries,' Nel said ' we're family, you don't have to be formal, just relax and be yourself Orihime you are home.'

'Thank you Nel.' Orihime said. For just knowing Nel for a few hours they were already got along like sisters.

Ichigo smiled, glad that she was being well received by his family even though they were harassing him about their relationship.

They all finished breakfast and got ready for the day. Orihime felt sad when Ichigo told her to stay with Nel and his sisters, in case anything were to happen he did not want her to get hurt. Orihime agreed but was depressed she didn't get to be with Ichigo.

Ichigo and his father arrived at Urahara's castle and listened carefully to the battle plan. Soi fon and Urahara addressed the plan to the Ishida the archer / quincy, Chad (the only human other than Orihime known to have supernatural abilities), Ichigo, the visoreds and the other shinigami such as Hisagi, Toshiro and Ikkaku that were dispatched from the Seiteri for this mission.

Soi fon began, 'Team one consist of Shinji, Renji, Ichigo, and Ikkaku. You will storm the entrance of the layout. Team two Hisagi, Toshiro, Isshin and Chad will surround the rear. Ishida, Isshin, Hachi and Hiyori will cover the east side of the hideout while myself, Lisa, Mashiro and Kensei will cover the west side. We will search the premises. Just remember that we need to capture anyone alive to extract information out them. It is imperative that we refrain from using deadly force unless absolutely necessary. Now let's move out'