Disclaimer: I don't own bleach or anything to do with it. Please don't sue me I am not worth much.
Authors notes: Chapter 10 and my longest chapter yet, trying to get more socialization into the chapters instead of just romance and fighting, hope you all like this chapter read review ideas and such always welcome. Still in the mood so expect chapter 11 by tomorrow or the day after.
Chapter 10: Advanced Team
Inoue began to regain consciousness, her head felt like it had been in a vice. Then it came back to her, Ichigo getting thrown the hollow slamming Rukia through the wall and smashing her then everything went black. She sat up quickly looking around. It was still night time but what had happened?
She noticed she was in her room in her bed, her head had been bandaged. But why was she here? Not even seconds later tears began to form at the memory that Ichigo had not been able to go into his Shinigami form due to his father taking his combat pass in worry he would run off again.
But right as the tears threatened to drop she heard something in her room. She looked over seeing the boy who not too long ago just confessed his love to her sitting against the wall next to her door, Zangetsu in Shikai like it always was wrapped up in its white cloth resting on the wall right next to him.
She was instantly put at ease just by his presence there and she was glad he was not hurt. But why was he in her room? And still in his Shinigami form? Before she could think any other questions he groaned a little his eyes slowly opening. "Hey….your awake…" Ichigo said lightly getting to his feet reaching for Zangetsu, sliding it onto his back.
"Are you ok Ichigo-kun?" Ichigo stared at her for a few seconds then laughed a little as he stood. Inoue was confused by his laughed. Ichigo stopped and sat next to her on her bed smiling at her.
"You almost get your head taken off by an Arrancar and you ask me if I am ok? Oi Orihime you never cease to amaze me…but I am fine. I was more worried about you. Are you ok?" He asked, toward the end of the question his face had changed from humor to worry and compassion as he brought his hand up cupping her cheek which was bruised.
"I'm fine Ichigo-kun…" She said lightly. Ichigo moved in quickly capturing her lips in a kiss. She was surprised but didn't complain as she closed her eyes wrapping her arms around him returning the kiss. After about a minute they broke the kiss and smiled at each other.
"You should try and get some more rest. We have school in about 4 hours." Ichigo said, her eyes going wide at the thought, she forgot it was almost Monday.
"I left my school stuff at your house….well not really since I was carried here…why are we here anyway well I mean why are you here Ichigo-kun and still in your Shinigami form?"
Ichigo laughed at the bombardment of questions and pointed to the corner of her room. "Your stuff is all there after I brought you here I went back and carried it, as for why I am here…I was scared they might try again so I decided stay…I would still like to stay…if that's ok." He asked, she blushed feeling bad he carried her went back carried her stuff and slept against a wall just to help her.
"Of course you can…but where are you going to sleep?" She asked, she had a feeling he didn't want to even be in a different room then her or he would have been out on her couch. "I can just rest against the wall it's not that big a deal." He said with a small shrug.
"Your still recovering you can't sleep on the floor!" She said with concern. "Wait where is your body?" She asked, he pointed to the other side of the room again, his body was laying near her bags, she sighed slightly. "I wanted to be ready if they came…you've already been through so much because of my failures."
Inoue stared at him for a moment before speaking. "Failures…? How could you say that Ichigo-kun…? You broke into Hucco Mundo…fought against many Arrancar and even died once to protect me…even after going through all that you smiled at me and went off to defeat Aizen…Giving up the one thing I know you didn't want to give up…to save me…no to save the world from Aizen.."Inoue said as she put her arms around him again hugging him close to her.
"Still…sorry I couldn't stop them from taking you…twice now…" Ichigo said , Inoue just shook her head still holding him. "It's ok Ichigo-kun." Inoue said, Ichigo only nodded. He pulled his arms up wrapping them around her.
Before Inoue realized it she had rested her head against his chest, her eyes slowly closing, Ichigo watched her slowly fall asleep, not having the heart to wake her he let her rest.
Morning came pretty quickly, Inoue's alarm for school went off, Ichigo's eyes slowly cracked open, he was sitting in Inoue's be still his back against the backboard of the bed, his back was killing him from sleeping in such a weird position but seeing the sight in front of him made it more than worth it, Inoue was curled up in her bed the blankets over her, her head resting on his lap, he could only smile at her wondering how he was so lucky to be with her.
"Morning Ichigo-kun…" he heard her say in almost a whisper. "Morning Orihime, sorry for being in your bed…you fell asleep on me last night and I didn't have the heart to move you and wake you….I hope you're not mad." Ichigo said with a small blush on his face.
"First time I have slept without nightmares, I could get used to it…" She said with a true smile, Ichigo had no idea she had to deal with nightmares still, was it due to recent events or where they still from the winter war.
"Should get ready for school before we are late." Ichigo said, Inoue nodded getting up stretching. Ichigo got up from the bed cracking his back grunting a little bit, noticing Inoue was giving him an a apologetic smile, he moved over to his body and took a deep breath before falling into it.
"Glad I don't have to change all though wearing clothes I slept in technically is not right but seeing as I don't have a house for now it'll do." Ichigo said turning to Inoue but she had already left for the bathroom.
A knock came to Inoue's door a moment later, hearing the shower Ichigo moved to the door opening it raising a brow seeing Tatsuki standing there, Tatsuki's eyes going wide for a moment, then a vein appeared above her eyes as her eye started to twitch. "The hell….you doing….in Orihime's apartment this early ICHIGO!" Tatsuki yelled pushing him coming through the door.
"Oi the hell Tatsuki? I had to stay here last night cause my house was half blown up last night. What does it matter to you?" He said crossing his arms, bad mistake, Ichigo was slammed in the face sent with a thud to the floor. "You were here….alone….all night…..with Orihime…?" She said her eye twitching more.
"Oh Tatsuki-chan I thought I heard you." Inoue said coming from the bathroom with only a towel on, Ichigo looked over seeing her only in a towel his eyes going wide his face turning deep red, Inoue's as well. Ichigo turned away quickly. "Oi the hell Inoue go get dressed!" Tatsuki yelled Inoue only nodding quickly and ran into her room, she heard a thud again.
"Pervert.." Tatsuki said with a snort and Ichigo narrowed his eyes on her. "What happened to her face…." Tatsuki asked lightly, the mood changed really fast and Ichigo just looked away with guilty eyes. "A Arrancar attacked her….I couldn't stop him from hitting her…I'm sorry.." Ichigo said obviously
"Tch stop blaming yourself for every little thing that happens to her Ichigo….you can't shield her from everything…" Tatsuki said which surprised Ichigo a little he figured the violent women would have hit him again.
"I'm supposed to be able to….The hells the point of my powers if she has to deal with all this shit all the time she doesn't deserve it."
Again Ichigo was hit as he glared at her standing holding his head where she hit him. "Stop it! You beating yourself up over it will just make her cry and if you make her cry I swear I'll beat you so bad you won't move for a weak, Shinigami or not!" She yelled Ichigo held his hands up in defense.
"All right alright geez." Tatsuki turned heading out the door. "Where you going?" He asked. "Your more than capable of walking her to school plus I have the feeling you two want to be alone….see you in school." She said with a smirk closing the door behind her, Ichigo sighed running his hand through his hair.
"Where Tatsuki-chan go?" Inoue said coming from her room fully dressed now but still brushing her hair. "To school, she said she'll see us there." Ichigo said, Inoue only nodded and went to her brothers shrine.
She said a quick pray for her brother and picked her hair pins up putting them in then moved up to Ichigo with her bag in her hand smiling. "Ready!" Ichigo could only smile as he got his shores on, Inoue did as well and they both moved out the door of her apartment.
After locking her door she moved down her stairs with Ichigo in tow. Once they moved outside the apartment he was walking next to her, he had his bag slung over his shoulder and he moved his other hand to hold hers. She looked at him smiling. "Hey Orihime I want I wanted to uh ask you something?" Ichigo said suddenly becoming nervous, she looked up at him curiously.
"Well I kno…I was wondering if…" he couldn't find the right words and he was stuttering on top it. "oh hell Orihime will you be my girlfriend?" he asked as they both stopped walking, she stared at him for a moment and nodded smiling. "Of course Ichigo-kun…"
She said as he lowered his head toward her kissing her quickly before she could react, she closed her eyes returning the kiss wrapping her arms around him after dropping her bag onto the ground.
The kiss broke and they were both smiling at each other. ""Ichigo-kun's girlfriend….I could get used to it…" Inoue said smiling at Ichigo. Ichigo hunched over and picked her bag up for her handing it to her, she smiled in thanks.
They continued to the walk to school holding hands even as they walked through the gates, Inoue was a little shocked she figured he wouldn't want to tell anyone yet but he was not trying to hide it at all.
"Ichigo-kun are you sure you want to tell everyone?" She asked, he nodded in response as they entered the school. "Why would I hide it? Yea its going to be annoying due to everyone harassing me over it but hiding you would be worse. Plus if we weren't open I'd have to stay away from you most the day. So I am going to be selfish." He said with a smirk giving her a quick kiss again as they walked.
"No complaints from me." She said going up the stairs with him, as they approached the classroom he let her hand go, she entered the classroom, everyone looking toward her noticing Ichigo moving into the room right behind her. "ORIHIME-CHAN!" A hyperactive lesbian yells jumping and latching onto Inoue from behind, Ichigo's eyes narrowed almost right away.
"The hell off her!" Tatsuki yells slamming Chizuru in the face sending her across the room through a few desks. "You ok Orihime?" Ichigo asked as Inoue turned to him smiling lightly. "I'm fine Ichigo-kun, I'm used to it plus Tatsuki –chan helps me." Inoue said. Most of their friends where half staring at them suddenly being so open with each other's given names.
He leaned in kissing her on the lips quickly, she kissed him back before he pulled back, multiple gasps and in some cases like Keigo and Chizuru screams came very quick. "Oi shut the hell up!" Ichigo yelled toward most of them, the class quieting quickly, Inoue blushed deeply and Tatsuki sat there shocked for a moment then smiled.
For too long she knew her best friend had loved the orange haired boy, she was happy to see them together now. "See you at lunch." Ichigo said and she nodded. Chizuru who was now back up charged murderously at Ichigo.
Tatsuki grabbed her throwing her back. "let it go you damn lesbian freak!" Tatsuki yelled and the two began arguing.
"Ichigo how could you take my Orihime from me?" Keigo wailed jumping up and down around Ichigo as he sat at his desk. "She's not your Orihime Keigo shut up your annoying me." Ichigo said, this causes more dramatic tears to fly from the over emotional boys eyes.
'Sorry for the other day Ishida…" Ichigo said. "Not to worry, it's not like you could actually hurt me Kurosaki." Ishida said taunting him, Ichigo's famous scowl came into place. "Want to bet four eyes?" Ichigo said. "Ichigo, congratulations with Inoue." Chad said.
"Thanks Chad." The teacher came in seeing all the 'skippers' in class today. "My my Kurosaki you gave me the honor of showing up to my class today, I must say I am shocked. " She said going to the front of the class. "Everyone to their seats!" She yelled everyone going to their seats now.
Ichigo was finding it hard to pay attention in class, as the lecture went on his eyes kept wandering to his girlfriend, the mere thought that him and Inoue where dating was still weird to him. Weird in a good way of course.
An alarm went off in his pants pocket, knowing what it was he got up right away. "Going to the bathroom!" he yelled rushing from the room, Ishida and Chad in tow quickly. "I'll go check on them!" Orihime yelled getting up from her seat quickly chasing her boyfriend and friends. The class was left speechless. "Some things never change.
"Orihime take care of my body please!" Ichigo yelled slapping his combat pass to his chest his Shinigami form blasting from his chest quickly as Inoue caught his body kneeling with it. "Be careful!" She yelled Chad stopping next to Inoue kneeling down picking up Ichigo's body throwing it over his shoulder. "We'll take it to his house for him." Chad said.
Inoue shock her head. "His house is uh under construction let's bring him to my apartment!" She said as they exited the school quickly. "So many of them what the hell is going on?" Ichigo asked as he flew up slicing through a few more hollows.
Ishida appeared behind him aiming to his right firing a few dozen arrows. The hollows faded away after being killed. "They are well organized, to well organized. Someone must be controlling them." Ishida said. "Almost like a…" Ichigo faded from sight and quickly searched for her reiatsu. "they are going after Inoue!" Ichigo yelled Ishida's eyes widening a bit.
"hey there…" A voice said, Inoue stopped turning around, seeing a Arrancar walking toward her. "Remember me?" The Arrancar asked smiling at her with a evil grin, it was the same Arrancar that had hurt Tatsuki and took her the first time. "El Directo!" Chad yelled flying toward the Arrancar letting out a large white wave of energy from his fist.
Before it hit another Arrancar appeared with a sonido in front of the wave deflecting it, grabbing Chad's arm throwing him across the street, Chad slid to a stop eyes narrowed under his hair.
"Inoue run!" Chad yelled, she looked over noticing Ichigo's body slumped against a light post. "I can't leave Ichigo-kun's body they'll kill it!" She yelled taking a defensive stance not to far from the two Arrancar's. "Rider handle the human boy, I'll get the girl. "The large Arrancar that had taken Inoue before said.
"Always taking the girls for yourself Gres…your no fun fine!" Rider yelled rushing across the street drawing his Zanpakuto slicing at Chad, Chad easily blocked and spun around kicking into Riders chest sending him sliding back.
Gres laughed as he rose his Zanpakuto above his head. "So I kill that body I kill that Shinigami that hurt Trivon-sama? PERFECT with this I'll be made into one of the new Espada finally!" Gres yelled swinging down toward Ichigo's body.
Back near the school more hollows had appeared to slow Ichigo and Ishida down, they were fighting them off easily but the sheer numbers where enough to keep the two from getting away, "Dammit there are too many of them I need to get to Orihime!" Ichigo yelled.
"Santen Kesshun!" Inoue yelled the shield forming around Ichigo's body shielding him from the blow, Gres turned back to Inoue eyes narrowed. But what was more shocking as the look in Inoue's eyes, she was always so gentle and caring even toward the enemies but at the moment she had a small hint of anger in her eyes.
"Get away from his body!" She yelled rising he hand to her hair pins again. "Koten Zanshun! Tsubaki go!" Inoue yelled Tsubaki blasting free flying toward the Arrancar slicing through the arm the was holding its Zanpakuto, Gres's eyes going wide as blood sprayed all over her shield that was protecting Ichigo.
"Damn women where the hell you been hiding these kind of feelings at? That's how you need to send me out from now on nice job!" Tsubaki said floating next to her now. "Damn you human!" Gres yelled picking up his Zanpakuto, it began to glow now. "Kill Grezzer!" Gres yelled, his body changing as he used his resurreccion.
He was now a large fox looking hollow with two heads, blades running up and down all his legs, his teeth razor sharp. "I'm going to devour you women! As long as I bring those hairpins back to Trivon he won't mind!" Gres yelled rushing at Inoue, She quickly brought her shield to her blocking his charge, but the force threw her back, she landed roughly skidding.
"Inoue!" Chad yelled looking back to the Arrancar now, he closed his eyes his other arm begging to glow now. After a flash of light Chad stood there his other arm that was normal was now changed. "Brazo Izquierda del Diablo." Chad quickly rushed toward Rider rising his white arm, using Bringer light to speed him up. He slammed his fist into Rider. "La Muerte!" he yelled
The attack landed perfectly, Riders eyes going wide from the force, Rider was thrown into a wall near Gres a large weird skull crater created in the wall where he hit, Gres looked back at him snorting. "Get up Rider you better not let that human beat you."
"Blind all with your speed, Kyuusoku!" Rider yelled transforming into his resurreccion form. He was really slim now, a hollow mask that almost looked like a racing helmet now, he faded from sight extremely fast and was behind Chad within a second and slammed his foot into Chad's back throwing him into the same building he was thrown into.
"Dammit!" Ichigo yelled, no matter how many Getsuga Tenshou's he used they didn't stop. "Chad and Inoue are in danger we have to do something!" Ichigo yelled. Ishida's eyes narrowed, he really hated using this move in the city and against mere hollows but he had no choice, he quickly moved above all the hollows using his Quincy speed.
"Licht Regen!" Ishida yelled unleashing the tremendous large volley of arrows down onto the hollows, it spreading them all apart, none of them hitting Ichigo at all. Ichigo smiled up at ishida. "Like I said before like a can of bug spray…lets go Ishida!" Ichigo yelled, Ishida annoyed by his remark sighs but quickly follows Ichigo.
Gres began to charge a cero from his nose aiming toward Ichigo's body. Inoue's eyes going wide knowing there was no way in hell her shield at the state it was in would protect her and Ichigo from a Cero. "Ichigo no!" She yelled throwing herself over his body her shield still in front of her.
"DIE!" he yelled as he shot the Cero, it exploded on contact smoke covering the area. "INOUE!" Chad yelled seeing the Cero hit, but he could still feel her Reiatsu. "You arrancar have no honor…attacking a women while she can hardly move. Your actions make me sick. "A voice said coming from the smoke.
The smoke began to clear and there was a wall of pink petals in front of Inoue's shield, behind the petals was Kuchiki Byakuya. His eyes narrowed, Inoue stared at his back shocked. "Are you ok girl…" He asked looked back to her. She only nodded. "Thank you Kuchiki-san." She said lightly, exhausted from using so much power to shield Ichigo so much.
"Who the hell are you…?" Gres asked glaring at Byakuya. "I need not give my name to scum who attempt to kill a soulless body and a injured women…" Byakuya spoke slowly walking toward Gres.
"Going to have to kill you quick human boy looks like Gres might need my held. Rider was about to attack again when a large white glow appeared under his feet. "The hell?" Rider asked then felt a large amount of spirit pressure. "Some no mai, Tsukishiro!" Rukia yelled, the large wall of ice quickly forming around Rider trapping him inside.
"Everyone…." Inoue said slowly standing. "Inoue-san are you ok?" familiar voice asked as she turned seeing Hanataro rushing over to her. "Hanataro-san you are here to?" Inoue asked, he stopped in front of her smiling. "I am the medic for the advanced team sent to protect you." He answered looking over her injuries.
"Oh Sado-chan!" She realized how hurt he was and rushed over to him, the ice around rider began to crack slowly, Rider beginning to escape. "Howl Zabimaru!" Renji yelled slashing down, his chain like Zanpakuto flying into the ice, slicing Rider in half easily. The ice fading away as well as Rider.
"Rider! You bastards…!" Gres growled out. "I would worry about yourself you are about to reach the same fate, die Arrancar.." Byakuya said in a calm down as he rose his hand up sending his Senbonzakura out the petals flying around Gres and fully incased him, slashing him up till there is nothing left.
Moments later Ichigo and Ishida land in the area the fight had just taken place. "Orihime!" he yelled rushing over to her, she was currently healing Chad at the moment. "Ichigo-kun! I'm so glad you're ok." She said smiling at him, she finished up healing Chad as he stood nodding a thanks to Inoue.
"Are you ok?" he asked seeing a few scraps on her. "Thanks to Kuchiki-san I am fine, if Rukia-chan Kuchiki-san had not shown I don't think we would have made it…." Inoue said, Ichigo hung his head feeling guilty. "We were held up by so many hollows. I am sorry Inoue-san" Ishida said, Ichigo remained quite.
"I got a hollow that's able to speak." Renji said walking up to them throwing the small hollow in front of them all before anyone could ask anything Ichigo sliced one of its arms off, a murderous look in his eyes. "Who sent you…" was all Ichigo said the hollow was shaking in horror at the look coming from Ichigo.
"I…it was Trivon-sama, he has put it out all over Hucco Mundo, who ever captures the girl dead or alive will be greatly rewarded…" The hollow spoke, without a though Ichigo sliced through its mask, it fading away quickly, he returned Zangetsu to his back now crossing his arms. "That bastard…" Ichigo said out loud to himself.
They parted ways and Ichigo ended up carrying Inoue back to her apartment on his back now that he was in his human body again. "Thank you for protecting my body Hime, I am sorry it took me so long to get there." Ichigo said quickly, she was resting her head on his back asleep , he turned his head seeing she was asleep and smiled at her.
He lay her into her bed and sat next to her, he went to get up and felt her grip his hand, he looked down at her. 'Where are you going?" She asked now awake. "I don't want to burden you and stay here another night, I could find a hotel till my house is fixed." He said to her smiling, she pulled him down so he was laying down with her.
"It would burden me to be alone…" She said almost in a whisper, Ichigo quckly put his arms around her pulling her close, that's all he needed to hear now that he knew she was scared to be alone he wasn't going anywhere. "I'll stay then, I'll always be here for you Hime, no matter what." Ichigo said kissing her forehead.