I sincerely apologize that I haven't updated this story in months . (I really try NOT to procrastinate. But I have school and stuff .) I'm graduating this year and I have to really focus on my three classes if I want to graduate. (Yes, I only have 3 classes) So technically, I have lots of time to update my stories... But I use that time for friends and other stuff. Kinda wish I didn't. I really want to finish this story!

I have a poll on my page about the colour of Shiro's eyes when he turns human. So please vote! I'm really stuck as to what colour they should be and everyone's vote will help me decide :)

Anyways, here's the next chapter!


"Say Shiro-kun?"

He turned his head so she'd know that he was listening. Lately, he'd get antsy over the smallest things and no matter what, he never understood why. Shiro thought it may have to do with his meeting with Kisuke and him worrying that Hime would catch one to his plan. Either way, he tried not showing his emotions.

"Do you think it's possible for hollows to become human?"

His eyes widened when the question came from her lips. It was a good thing she wasn't looking up because he didn't want her seeing just how much the question itself affected him. Now it made him more nervous that she'd found out somehow about his visit.

"What made you think that?" he asked with a harsh tone.

Once the words came out, he kicked himself mentally. The hurt expression on her face killed him. He hated seeing that look of fear on her face. It didn't suit his princess at all. He promised to protect her, and making her cry definitely meant he wasn't doing his job.

Pulling her into his lap, he looked into her eyes. They were glimmering with unshed tears, and he hated himself because he was the reason she was hurt. He brought her face to his and lightly kissed her lips.

"I didn't mean it in a bad way Hime. I was just caught off guard with the question. But why would you ask me? How would I know if such a thing could happen? Your guess is as good as mine."

She looked at him with a look of worry and disappointment. She began to nibble on her lower lip as her hands clutched his shihakusho.

"It's just... shinigamis are able to be human."

One eyebrow raised. "They can?"

She nodded. "Kuchiki-san almost did. If she wasn't detected, the gigai she was in would've sealed off her powers for good. The reason why Urahara-san made that gigai was to hide the Hougyoku. But Aizen had caught on too soon and ordered the Soul Society to capture her and bring her back for her death sentence. She almost died that day."

"And if she did, she wouldn't be here anymore. Kurosaki-kun may have been with me instead..." she thought as tears fell from her eyes. She laid her head on his shoulder as she was engulfed in despair.

How could she think such bad thoughts? This was about her two best friends! She should be happy for the both of them. She knew that Rukia would've been happy for her if she had gotten with Ichigo.

So why did she feel so depressed and bitter towards them?

"You're thinking about him again."

It wasn't a question. Shiro was merely stating the obvious. He knew what made her cry every time she thought about it. And it made him sick to his stomach. Seeing her nod her head sadly only added fuel to the fire that raged within him.

She didn't dare to speak. She wasn't sure what would come out of her mouth and she didn't want to hurt Shiro anymore than she already has.

Shiro wrapped both his arms around her, bringing her as close as she could be to him. He wasn't sure what this feeling was that made him feel her sadness. But he hated it a lot.

"Hime..."

Her tears cut him deep. There was another reason as to why she was crying. He just needed to get her to talk.

He sighed. "I know you still love him." The sound of his voice made her head lift from his shoulder. "I'm not expecting you to stop loving him because you're with me. He was your first true love. And I may not understand humans and their emotions, but I'm relatively certain it's wrong to be dating a guy your friend has a crush on. What that midget bitch did was wrong. They didn't even consider your feelings or how you'd feel about them dating. You'd think that the midget would know this considering she is technically older than you guys."

Her lips trembled as she cried. "It hurts! I always had a feeling that they loved each other. Kuchiki-san was the one that convinced him to come talk with me after I was injured by Yammi. She's always supporting him and getting him out of his funks. I could never do something like that. I was only a friend of his that he felt he needed to protect. I never asked him to. He just decided it on his own. Even after everything, I still thought I'd have a chance..."

Silence engulfed the apartment. They looked at each other, not bothered by the rain that suddenly came down from the sky.

He could tell that she wanted to say something else. Her eyes closed for a few seconds as she tried to breathe again. He noticed her hands tightened their hold on his top. When she re-opened them, they shone brighter than they ever did. But the sadness that radiated from them only cut him more.

"I don't want to lose you."

His eyes darkened. "You're not going to."

"B-But what is Kuchiki-san or Kurosaki-kun find out? Or worse the Soul Society? I don't think I can handle losing you. Just the thought alone..."

No. She couldn't lose him. She already lost her brother and her first love. If she lost Shiro too...

"Listen to me, Hime. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is going to take you away from me. If any of them try to, I'll kill them. I'll do anything to stay by your side. I won't break my promise to you. Even if I have to fight against the whole world, if there's a way for us to be together, I'll find it and make sure it happens. I'm not going to let anyone take your happiness away ever again. I'm staying with you. Until the very end."

And he sealed his vow with a kiss.


Tatsuki, Uryu, and Chad were walking to Urahara's place. Shiro had called Tatsuki during lunchtime. He had told her that there was something he needed to discuss with the three of them.

"Orihime! Aren't you coming with us?"

"I'll catch up with you guys later! I forgot something in my locker!"

"Try not to be late! He's expecting you to be with us!"

Neither girl sensed the shinigami that hid within the shadows.

Once they got there, they were greeted by Yoruichi.

"Nice to see you guys. It's been a while."

"Same here Yoruichi-san. Do you know why we've been called here?"

"I'm not too sure on all the details. But it has to do with Shirosaki and Orihime. Please come in."

The three of them followed behind her into the shop. They sat at the table where Kisuke and Shirosaki were.

"Where's Hime?" Shiro asked.

The three humans looked at each other. Tatsuki was the one who spoke first. "We're sorry Shirosaki. Orihime said she left something in her locker and told us to go on ahead. She told me she wouldn't be that long. But I was shocked when we got here and she still wasn't with us."

"It doesn't seem like she's in immediate danger. I can sense her reiatsu from here. If anything, she seems very happy right now." Uryu piped in.

"Probably because she's glad that not everyone disapproves of her relationship with Shirosaki." Chad commented.

Shiro grunted. He had no idea what to say to the giant's comment. Not that he really cared what anyone else thought. But it was nice that her best friends didn't freak out or try to get her to leave him. But there was something that was eating at him. He wasn't sure what it was, but just the thought of Orihime by herself made him antsy. Anything can happen to her when there's no one with her.

"So why are we here?" Tatsuki asked.

"~Ah! I'm glad you asked Arisawa-san!" snapping his fan, Kisuke's expression turned serious. "We are going to change Shirosaki into a human!"


Orihime ran to her locker. She didn't want to keep her friends waiting to hear the news. Truth be told, when Shiro first told her yesterday, she was giddy with joy. To think that Kisuke came up with a way to turn her boyfriend into a human was a blessing. It meant that he and Yoruichi-san approved of him being with her and didn't want to tear them apart.

"Hime..."

Hearing the hesistance in his voice made her look up from the dishes. It had been a week since they had their talk, and she had been happy knowing that he wouldn't leave her.

The look of confusion on her face only made Shiro hesistate more. He wasn't sure how to tell her when she looked at him like that.

"How would you feel if... I became human?"

Her eyes widened so much it looked like they would pop out. Her breathing stopped and she had to sit down before she fell. Her head was spinning from the question.

"You're going to become a human?"

The silence was deafening. He wasn't sure how to really respond to that question. Scratching the back of his head, he shifted on his feet. The air was filled with tension.

"I'm going to become a human. And I'm doing it for you. So we can stay together."

"Is it something you want though? I don't want you to do this just for me. I want you to do this because you want to change. It wouldn't be right if you changed just for me."

"Hime, all I want is to be with you. If I have to give up being a hollow, then I'll do it. It doesn't bother me at all."

She ran into his arms. Happiness filled her and all she could do was laugh.

Walking towards the shop, she was thinking about how everything was going in the right direction. She felt that nothing could dampen her mood.

"Oi! Inoue!"

Freezing in her tracks, she turned and looked behind her. There, standing in her sight, was none other than Kuchiki Rukia and Kurosaki Ichigo.


A/N: HA. I apologize for the ending XD But I also like it too. The suspense is there. I wonder how Shirosaki will react when he senses Ichigo near Orihime.

Well, only time will tell. And I actually have the next part written in my mind anyways. XD

I had to cut it off somewhere. Anyway, it sets me up for the next chapter. So I hope you enjoyed this and R&R please :)