Authors Note: So sorry it has taken me beyond forever to update this story! I had graduation to worry about and finals but those are long done with now. I however have been working a lot more hours than I am used to and that has taken up a lot of my free time. I wanted to thank all of you that reviews and/or favorite this story. I hope you all continue to enjoy it as I come closer to figuring out how to finish this one off. If you have any ideas that you would like to send in please don't hesitate. Partly why it takes me so long to update is because I've been going through a rough patch of writers block. So any help anyone is eager to give me is welcome. Sorry for any errors you find, I still have no Beta…


Chapter 7- Dance

Ichigo watched as Tatsuki pulled out a bag from her closet. He had gotten a call from her earlier that day asking if he had some time to spare. Seeing as he wasn't going into work or going to the Soul Society he had told her yes. So here he was, sitting on her floor wishing he was anywhere but there as he saw the contents of the bag.

Pulling out the lime green short dress Tatsuki blushed, "Look I know this really weird but I know it's what Orihime would want for you. She'd want you to go to this dance and…I figure going with me would be the right thing."

Ichigo suddenly found it hard to swallow as his eyes zeroed in on the dress. The room seemed to shrink in size as the realization that he'd have to put a tux on dawned on him. Tatsuki cleared her throat when he didn't reply to her.

"Uhm, Ichigo? Everything alright?"

'Hell no everything's not alright! We're going to be going to a freakin' dance together! Me in a tux doesn't sound good.' Was what Ichigo really wanted to say but the words that left his mouth where, "Y-yeah it's just kinda hard to wrap my head around, ya know? I know it's the right thing to do but…isn't it weird?"

Tatsuki set the dress down on her bed, "I know," falling to the ground beside him she sighed, "it isn't my scene either. Hell, the only dress/skirt I wear is the school uniform. The thought of getting all dolled up for you is a little sickening but—I'm doing it for Orihime."

His eyes closed as he pictured Orihime sitting against the cherry blossom tree in the Soul Society, "Then we'll both be doing this for her."

Peering at Ichigo from the corner of her eye she gently nudged him with her shoulder, "Hey, you going to tell me how you feel about her?"

"Wha?"

"You know what I'm asking. How do you feel about Orihime? You must know by now that she was head over hills in love with you." Tatsuki stated as the air conditioning kicked in.

Ichigo leaned his back against the frame of her bed as he looked up at the ceiling. He hadn't talked to anyone about his feeling for Orihime…well except Renji and a little bit to Rukia. But the only reason why he talked to them was because he knew they wouldn't stop bugging him until they got an answer. With Tatsuki he knew all he had to do was tell her that he didn't want to talk about it and she'd drop it.

"I didn't know how I felt about her until it was too late. Funny how that happens."

Tatsuki sat quietly, not wanting to interrupt his thoughts. 'Watching him it's clear as day…he loves her. He loves a girl that is dead and probably one he'll never be able to see again. Even though I know about him being a Soul Reaper and all…it's possible he hasn't been able to find her over there.'

His eyes glanced over at her and he gave her one of his forced smiles, "I held her as she died, and yet, even in that moment I didn't know how to word what I was feeling. All I could do was think about the fact that I was losing her."

She remained silent, which encouraged him to continue, "Even though she was dying she was still able to smile that dazzling smile of hers. I'll never understand how she could still be so happy when she knew she was going to die."

"She's always been that way," Tatsuki added gently, "it's how she was. No matter the situation she wanted to be someone that you could rely on. I remember her telling me all the time that she hated being a burden on you. She was always looking for ways to become stronger in order to help you, to stand beside you instead of behind you."

Ichigo ruffled his hair, "Yeah? I guess I've been dense on that department as well. I never minded protecting her, in fact, it gave me a purpose. So to hear that she wanted to stand beside me is a little surprising."

"Why? Doesn't it make sense that she'd want to stand beside the guy she was madly in love with? No girl wants to be a burden on the people she cares about."

Seeing Tatsuki get riled up by his comment caused Ichigo to blink, "I didn't mean to sound like a prick Tatsuki. I only mean that I didn't mind protecting her. Hell, I still want to protect her and I freakin' can't because I'm here and she's hell knows where."

Tatsuki looked at the palms of her hands as his words stung her. "I'm sorry Ichigo. You can see why she'd want to be stronger for you though, can't you?"

Ichigo thought back to all the times Orihime had tried to fight beside him. Now that he thought about it he could recall the determination that was in her gray eyes as she would put her all into the fight. Even back during his fight with Grimmjow he could imagine how hard it must have been for her to stay on the sidelines. 'If it had been the reverse…I know I couldn't have stood there and watched as she fought alone. When was it that you really began to have feelings for me Orihime? And why have I been such an idiot when it came to realizing it?'

"Yeah…I suppose I can understand her wanting that. Tatsuki…can I ask you a question?"

Tatsuki was surprised to hear how quiet his voice had become when he spoke. Normally Ichigo wasn't nervous to ask her anything, "Sure go ahead."

He pushed his hair away from his face, "When was it exactly that Orihime started to have feelings for me?"

Tatsuki stared at him like he was a stupid, "Seriously? You don't know when?"

He shook his head sheepishly, "C'mon you know I'm dense."

"That's true," she replied smugly, "it was back then…back when you helped her with her brother."

"Huh?" Had he helped her when her brother died? If he did he didn't recall it…

Tatsuki winked, "Yep, that's when she began to fall for you. Although it was after the stuff happened in the Soul Society for the first time that she told me she was actually in love with you. Before that she would just say she liked you."

Ichigo rubbed his jaw, "Wow…I really wish I would have known back then. But if I was to be honest, I doubt I would have done anything about it back then. I was so focused on all the duties I had…and protecting the people I cared about. I think I would have hurt her more if I had known."

"Perhaps," Tatsuki touched the fabric of her dress, "perhaps not. Maybe you would have realized how you felt about her sooner."

He got to his feet and looked at his watch that was on his left wrist, "Thanks for inviting me over Tatsuki, it's getting late, I better head home before Yuzu worries about me."

"She tends to do that."

"No kidding, I'll see you tomorrow at school, and then the dance."

Tatsuki gave him a small smile and wave, "Okay, see ya."

With the sun setting behind him Ichigo made his way back to the house. Seeing Tatsuki's dress had sent him into a frenzy but now as he thought about it more he decided that maybe it would be okay. There were more troubling matters to think about at the moment anyway.

The house was eerily quiet as he entered and shut the door behind him. It was strange that no one was around but Ichigo found himself relieved. 'I can have a moment to myself for a while. Although I do wonder where they are.'

Passing the kitchen his eyes noticed a small hot pink sticky note attached to the fridge. Walking to it in Yuzu's handwriting he read, Sorry we're not home to greet you, dad wanted to take Karin and I to the store to buy a new outfit. If you're hungry there is a bento box I made for you this morning. Love, Yuzu

He opened the fridge and sure enough there was a bright orange bento box set neatly to the side. Right when he was pulling it out of the fridge a noise startled him and caused him to jump and hit his head on the top of the refrigerator.

"Wow…wasn't expecting that reaction."

Rubbing the big bump that was now on his head Ichigo turned around. Standing in his kitchen was Rukia with her arms folded as she smirked at him. "What are you doing her Rukia? As if I really need you to visit me right now. I can't do any errands for the Soul Society for a few days."

"Who said I was here to give you an errand? I came because I haven't seen you in a while…that and I thought you'd like to know how Orihime is doing."

Hearing her name caused his chest to tighten as he took a hold of his lunch and sat down at the kitchen table, "How is she doing? Her training coming along?"

"Yep…except for some reason she's having a hard time calling upon her Zanpakuto. Its strange because I can feel that she's close…and yet just when I think she's going to get it something happens and she can't do it."

"I don't think it's anything you need to worry about, it took me ages to realize my Zanpakuto had been talking to me. Orihime has always been a little slow on these types of things." Ichigo replied as he pulled the lid off his bento.

Rukia rolled her eyes as she pulled out the chair that was beside him, "No she hasn't, she's always been a quick study. She's hiding something from me Ichigo…I can tell."

Ichigo raised an interested eyebrow, "Really now? What do you think it is?"

"I don't know, and it's driving me insane. I wish I could just sit her down and force her to talk to me but that wouldn't be right. What could have her wanting to keep it a secret from even me? She used to talk to me about everything and now…nothing."

Using his chopsticks he began to pick up the small hotdogs that were shaped like octopuses. "Maybe she just doesn't want to be a burden. That would be just like her. She probably thinks it's the best thing to do at the moment. Soon I'm sure she'll be coming to you wanting to tell you all her problems and thoughts."

He glanced over at Rukia who had her elbow resting on the table with her chin resting on the palm of her hand, "It's really weird Ichigo…why would she want to hold anything back from me?" Reaching over she snagged one of his vegetables and popped it into her mouth, "I mean, even when she was living she confided in me."

"She did? So you knew she had feelings for me?" Ichigo asked before he thought. His pulse quickened when his brain registered what he had just said. Rukia chewed slowly, her eyes slowly locking with his.

"She never came out and said it…but it was pretty obvious by the way she'd talk about you. At the same time it kind of irritated me."

Irritated her? Why would something like that cause Rukia to become upset? Ichigo pondered this for a moment before shrugging his shoulders. Girls were interesting creatures and were hard to understand. Rukia studied him as he ate his lunch, "You really are clueless aren't you? Fine, since it doesn't matter much now I'll tell you." Snagging another thing from his lunch she placed it in her mouth, "Back after you rescued me from the Soul Society I sort of had a thing for you."

Ichigo choked on the food he was chewing on. She what? What in the world was going on with all these girls having things for him at one point in their lives? What was so amazing about him that made them all want to be with him?

Rukia snickered as she reached over and pounded on his back to aid him in his choking, "Surprised? I really don't understand why you would be. I mean c'mon, if a girl got saved the way you saved me it's only obvious that they would develop feelings for you. What girl wouldn't? It was like you were my own white knight rushing to the rescue."

"Except," he coughed, "I wasn't in white. I was in black."

With a roll of her eyes she took his bento from him and despite his angry, 'hey!' she took his chopsticks and began to dig in. "That's a little detail that is easily spared. The main thing is that I did like you at one point in time. Now I like someone else so there's nothing for you to worry about. Even though it does bug me a little to know that she cared about you so deeply…and yet at the same time it was really sweet. I could tell how much her love for you grew after you saved her from the Espada."

"And then she died." Ichigo stated flatly.

"She's still around Ichigo." Rukia mumbled softly, her eyes softening as she looked at her orange haired friend. "It isn't like she's completely disappeared."

Ichigo opened his mouth to say something else when his father's warning came to mind. "I'm telling you this now Ichigo; you can't tell anyone what our plans are. What we are going to do is forbidden…and the Soul Society, even the Soul King, won't look favorably on what we're going to attempt. This is something that has to be kept from them." Shutting his mouth he narrowed his eyes as he watched her eat his food. After a few seconds he sighed, "Whatever," placing his hands behind his head he leaned back in his chair and looked at the ceiling, "it's still death. She isn't here in the flesh…she'll never finish school or go to college…let alone get married and have children. Her life was cut short and it was my entire fault."

"Don't say that." Rukia argued as she pushed the empty bento towards him, "It had to of happened, otherwise it wouldn't have. Things are a little sketchy still but I'm sure Orihime and you can have a future once…" she trailed off and touched her cheek as she realized the only way they could be together was after he died. Which meant he'd have to move on during his earth life.

"You mean after I died? Sure there's always that but I'm currently living this one. My sisters and father are going to want me to get married and have kids one day. That'll happen and then when I die will I want to be with my wife or with Orihime? I don't see that being fair to either of them, do you?"

"Talking of moving on…I heard you're going to the school dance with Tatsuki."

"She asked me and I said yes. Nothing more than that." Ichigo stated evenly as he got to his feet to take the empty bento box to the trash.

Rukia's eyes followed him and watched as he moved about the kitchen. As he walked he barely made any noise, something that came from his growing powers. "Do you think it could mean something later on?"

"Why are you asking me this?" Ichigo asked after several moments of silence. Couldn't she tell this was something he didn't want to talk about? The thought of having another girl liking him was too much for him. Knowing that there had been two was more than enough. 'I'm not sure how I'll react if I find out there are more. I mean…what have I done to get these girls to like me? Rukia said she liked me because I saved her…' he sweat dropped, 'does that mean every girl I've saved like me? Hell…that's be lot…'

"What's wrong Ichigo? You seem to be sweating quite a bit." Rukia commented as she peered at him with a curious look on her face.

Ichigo turned away from her as he placed his cup in the sink, "Shut up."

"Why are you embarrassed?"

"I'm not!"

"You so are!"

"Am not!"

"Rukia?!" a small voice exclaimed from the stairs. Small squeaking sounds could be heard as the small stuffed lion emerged into view. "It is Rukia! I was wondering if it was your voice I was hearing. My Rukia how I've missed you!" Kon leaped through the air and sailed towards the spoken of girl.

Rukia moved faster than he was able to react and had him stomped to the ground, "Hello to you too Kon."

Ichigo shook his head, "You think you'd learn by now Kon, you can't keep running at people like that. It freaks them out."

"Anyway," he turned his attention back to Rukia, who was busy smashing Kon a few more times, "what are you here for really Rukia?"

Rukia sighed dramatically, "I told you I'm not here to send you on an errand. I wanted to drop by and see how you were doing. Is that really so hard to believe?"

Scratching the back of his neck Ichigo replied, "I suppose not, but if you don't mind I have some homework to get done and then I have to get ready for the dance that's tomorrow night. I'd appreciate it if you could stick around at Hat and Clogs place to handle any Hollows that might appear. I want to make sure I give Tatsuki the attention she deserves. I really don't want her to hit me because I have to run off during the dance."

Rukia didn't like how she was being asked to a do a job that wasn't her responsibility anymore. But she couldn't help but smile at the way Ichigo nervously moved around the small kitchen. 'I can give him some slack this one time. He needs to do something human, since that's what he is.'

"Oh all right, I'll stick around and take care of any interruptions that may happen while you are on this dance date thing. Orihime can train without me; she seems to do better that way anyway."

Ichigo faltered slightly at the mention of Orihime's training. They had talked about it earlier and he was tempted to ask if Rukia understood what it was that she was doing that seemed to be working. Instead of voicing his thoughts though he shrugged, "A lot of us work better that way. I mean, that's how I've done it. I've had some guidance from people sure, but when it came down to it, it was really something I had to do on my own."

Rukia shrugged, "Anyway, I better let you go so you can get all ready for the dance that will be happening tomorrow night. If you need anything, like say I don't know, some cologne or something I'd be happy to get you some."

He cringed mentally at the thought. Leave it to her to bring him something that would smell awful or just terrible. "I got it under control, but thanks."

Walking towards the front door Rukia waved in farewell, "All right, have it your way. Have a good night Ichigo." With that she was gone leaving Ichigo to get himself ready for the dance.


Throngs of people swayed awkwardly to the music that played over the speakers. The room was nearly packed to capacity causing everyone to have no choice but to dance very close together. Ichigo and Tatsuki hardly had looked at each other since they started dancing. It felt awkward to be this close to each other when the thought of Orihime hung in the air.

The first one to break the silence was Tatsuki, "Thanks for coming with me to this Ichigo. I know it's a little…strange but I'm sure Orihime is smiling down at us."

For some reason Ichigo wasn't sure smiling was what Orihime would be doing. She was probably training in order to get stronger so she could get her very first mission in the world of the living. But he didn't have to tell Tatsuki that. In fact, there were a lot of things he wasn't going to tell her when it came to what he knew about the new Orihime.

'I should go visit her again soon. If I had it my way I'd be there right now instead of here. Tatsuki is a great friend but dancing like this…' his hand touched a portion of her skin that was exposed, he quickly pulled his hand back up to a place where fabric resided, 'is awkward. I know I should let myself have a good time and not think too much about things but that's hard.'

"Thanks for inviting me. It is a little strange to be doing this but it's been a nice change."

Tatsuki looked at a button on his shirt for a moment, "Ichigo…have you met Orihime? I mean…is she becoming what you are?"

Ichigo's muscles tensed under her hand that rested on his arm, "I'm not sure why you're asking me this."

"Because she's my friend and I want to know if she's safe. Or if she's just another one of the spirits that reside wherever they go."

"She's fine Tatsuki, that's all you need to know for now."

The girl in his arms shook her head, "You're wrong, I need to know more. Is she becoming a Soul Reaper?"

He groaned as he looked away from her. Was it a good move to tell her what was going on? Probably wasn't but he knew she'd only keep asking questions if he didn't. "Yes, she is. She's been training hard for the past couple of months."

"Oh, that's good. When will she be able to come visit?"

"I don't think that will be happening." Ichigo stated carefully, not wanting to get Tatsuki upset.

The girl's eyes narrowed as she finally met his gaze, "What do you mean? Why wouldn't she be able to come visit?"

"Can we not talk about his here?"

"No, we need to talk about this now."

"But this is a really awkward place to discuss something like this…" Ichigo muttered, his eyes darting around at the couples around them. It would be easy for someone to overhear them if they were close enough.

Tatsuki replied with a dramatic roll of her eyes, "Who cares about that right now. I deserve to know what you know. So tell me."

Ichigo sighed in defeat and dropping his hand from her waist he took her hand and led her off the dance floor. Grabbing one of the punch cups at the table he continued to pull her away from the gym. Once they were outside he dropped her hand and began to drink from the cup.

Tatsuki watched him, a sweat drop forming on her temple, "Ichigo…you realize those drinks are probably laced with alcohol right?"

He ignored her as he pulled on his tie, loosening it. "There are a lot of things that are different now that Orihime is in the Soul Society. She…doesn't remember the things she did here when she was living. All those memories were erased as she entered the Soul Society."

The girl that leaned against the wall beside him remained silent as he began to tell her what he knew about Orihime. It was a hard subject for him, just as it was for her to talk about Orihime.

When he had finished telling the story he had also finished his drink and was staring at it. Tatsuki took his cup from his hand and despite his dumbfounded look she returned into the gym to only return with the cup filled. Handing the cup to him she spoke, "Seems it's really complicated. At least you'll be able to see her and get to know her again."

"Sure, if it's a good thing. It's hard to talk to her when she doesn't remember anything that we went through before. But…it's better than nothing."

Tatsuki leaned her head against his arm as he raised the cup to his lips again. "I'm here for you Ichigo, you know that."

"Yeah."

She smiled, "Good, so don't hesitate to come to me. I'm your friend, friends help each other."

"Thanks."

A blush adorned her cheeks as she nodded and closed her eyes. Ichigo let her lean her head against him as he continued to drink, his eyes fixed on a window that was across from them.