The day passed slowly, but quietly for the Karakura gang. Orihime was allowed to shower and change into some sweats that Yuzu managed to dig up, but was still confined to the room.
Yuzu and Karin didn't know the whole story with Orihime, as Isshin had yet to talk to the privately about the incident. All they knew was that Orihime had been attacked, and that was enough for now. Ichigo didn't know how he felt about his sisters knowing the truth. They were both so naïve, especially Yuzu, and the topic was so dark and awful he just felt his protective instincts kick in at the thought of having to explain that's some men in this world were scum and could do things like that to women.
He shook his head many times that day, and sighed.
Orihime's rape had hit too close to home. She was an important part of his life, albeit sometimes he did not let her or any one else know that. He was well aware that sometimes he went weeks without really seeing her or talking to her, but that didn't mean he wasn't looking after her or that he didn't care. It was quite the opposite.
He cared too much.
Orihime, like all his other friends, had a special place in his heart, but for some reason, she was the one person he felt he had to protect more than anyone else. Maybe it was because she wasn't a fighter, she was sweet and kind by nature, which in itself, was worth protecting. Everyone Ichigo knew was domineering, unafraid of a fight and had a tough demeanor. Orihime was different. She didn't like to fight, she wanted to heal. She wanted to make the world better without hurting anyone.
People argued that she was weak, and sometimes Ichigo knew that he and the others made her feel that way, but it was because he was trying to preserve that unrelenting kindness in her heart. She was strong, so much so that Ichigo knew deep down that she was probably made of more than any of them, but it was a different kind of strength. She had strength of the heart, mind, and spirit, the kind of strength that was so much better than physical fighting. She took a backseat in fighting because she had more to loose than they did.
This whole situation was just a reminder of how strong she really was. How many people could say they were sexually assaulted and had a smile on their face the very next day? Her optimism and heart would give her what she needed to make it out of this, no matter how hard. That thought alone made Ichigo's heart swell with pride for his beautiful auburn haired friend.
As much pride as he felt in her, he felt more hatred, however, to the scum that caused this to begin with.
Ichigo knew that he had a compassion for his enemies – he never wanted to kill anyone he didn't have to, and he was all about second chances.
In this instance, there would be none of that.
He chortled inwardly at how convenient it was that he did not currently have any powers, for it probably would have made this situation worse. He would have blown his top by now and the men responsible would not be walking around the World of the Living as they were currently.
Ichigo's thoughts wondered back to Orihime and why he felt so strongly about her. He already ran the thought off in his head about her kind heart, but he couldn't help but wonder if there was more to it than that.
Orihime wasn't only different from his other friends in how she acted, but she was different in how he treated her in return.
He was gentler with the healer, and though he knew it was because she was kind and sweet, he also knew that she had a way of calming him the way the others didn't.
She was a lot like his mom. He vaguely remembered how he explained to Rukia that his mother was the center of their universe. She was the sun and their entire family revolved around her.
He couldn't help but wonder why he felt that Orihime deserved that same treatment. She was warm and sunny, bright and giving. And though he didn't spend time around her, when it came to her safety, he knew he'd always put her first.
And he felt that that meant something, but he didn't know what, exactly.
The gang was sitting in the hospital room, having a heated discussion. Though things seemed a little better today, it wasn't a normal day for them by any means. Plans were being made that Orihime couldn't help but feel guilty over. She already felt awful and this topic was making her feel worse.
"Guys, I don't think it's necessary that I stay with you…I'll be fine at home! I don't want to burden any of you-," Orihime started again for the fifth time that day, trying desperately to convince her friends she would be fine to go home once Kurosaki-san said she could do so. She wasn't expecting that to be anytime today and maybe not even tomorrow, but when the time came she did not want to be bothering her friends even more by bunking with them in their homes.
"Stop with that, Inoue. You're staying with someone whether you like it or not. And you're not a burden, so stop saying that." Ichigo said irritated at the young healer. It was so like her to worry about everyone else at a time like this. She needed to worry about herself.
"Kurosaki-kun…I just feel that you guys have done enough for me by being here. I mean, my home is safe…nothing's going to happen there…I don't want you guys to have to go out of your way anymore than you have too…"
"We don't have to, Inoue. We want to; there's a difference. Personally, if you're so worried about us, do us a favor and stay with one of us. We'll all sleep easier knowing your safe."
Inoue bit her lip at that, knowing she lost the argument.
"Orihime, you can't expect us to be okay with you going home by yourself. You're in no condition to be alone right now. You need your family."
Orihime felt touched by that, a small smiling spreading on her face. Her cheeks turned the slightest pink, but the warmth that spread through her was welcome, especially after all of the cold she had felt in the last 24 hours.
"Kurosaki-kun said I was family…,"
"Well…okay then." Orihime whispered quietly.
"Okay, so as I was saying, I would love to take Orihime in, I'm just going to have to cancel that tournament I have scheduled next week. My mom would be perfectly fine with it. She's always loved Orihime and with everything that's happened, she wouldn't hesitate to take her in for a bit."
"Tatsuki! You've been training for that tournament for months! You are going." Orihime butted in again, horrified. Tatsuki had been working so hard in her training for that specific tournament that she would feel sick if she missed it because of this.
"Well you're not staying by yourself, Orihime, and I think this is far more important. There will be more tournaments."
"You told me a week ago that this was the biggest tournament of the year. Don't try and make it sound so unimportant! This could be your big break. You should go."
"Tatsuki, if you want to go, one of us could take her in…at least till you get back…" Ichigo started, receiving a worried look from Ishida. He continued on anyway, ignoring the Quincy.
"I'm sure my old man would probably prefer having her here. We have the extra space and he'll probably want to keep an eye on her anyway. It's just convenient. As long as Inoue is comfortable staying with me, I think that would be easiest on everyone."
Orihime stared dumbstruck in front of her, unsure of the turn this discussion just took.
"Well, I guess that's okay, though I'm not really in the mood to go anymore…I'll probably still cancel. My heart's not in it but… I would feel good knowing Kurosaki-san is near. Your old man may be nuts, Ichigo, but he is a good doctor…And you're family is around too, which I think will be good."
"Well then I think it's settled. I'll have my father make a place for you, Inoue."
"Uh, yeah, Kurosaki-kun. I think I'd like that, as long as you're sure…"
"I am."
Hours passed and the Karakura gang hung around, chatting casually and keeping an eye on their beautiful friend still sitting on the caught. Yuzu had brought down sandwhiches for everyone to eat, and Orihime repeated her thanks multiple times to which Yuzu brushed off with a smile.
"Oh, Inoue-san, it's not trouble at all! We're all just glad you're ok. My dad will be down soon to talk to you."
"Oh..okay, thanks, Yuzu-chan." Orihime said, pulling her knees up to her chest. She rested her head against them, the violated feeling still upon her. It was true that she felt a bit better, but the trauma she went through was going to take her a long time to shake off and forget.
She closed her eyes, her long lashes brushing the swells of her cheek.
Ichigo was watching his auburn haired friend quietly from his chair. Tatsuki had excused herself to use the bathroom and Ishida had excused himself to run home for a change of clothes and some items (Ichigo had a feeling one of these necessary ites was his sewing kit…)
Orihime lied there with her head against her knees, an emotionless look over her face. It appeared like she was trying to be peaceful, but instead had thoughts nagging at her. Tatsuki was right in saying that Orihime was a bad liar; the girl couldn't even lie there expressionless without it being obvious what she was thinking about.
He was about to speak up and ask her how she was doing for the twentieth time that day, when he saw Orihime squeezing her eyes shut tightly as though she were in pain. Concern crossed his face and just as quick as her expression occurred, it disappeared.
Her eyes fluttered open, her cheeks red.
"Inoue? You alright?"
"Y..Yes. Just…thinking, is all. Sorry to worry you, Kurosaki-kun."
"What were you thinking about?" Ichigo asked, suspicious. She was hiding something. That was easy to see.
"Just…the last day, of course, Kurosaki-kun. No matter how much love I feel here with everyone…that doesn't stop me from thinking about it, especially when my eyes are closed…"
"Do…do you remember any of it?" Ichigo grimaced. He didn't know whether he wanted her to remember or not. On one hand, he hated to think a night had been stolen from her where she couldn't recall the one thing that ruined her, but on the other hand, his protective side told him it may be better for her not to be able to recall those images…
"Not really…well…I mean I kind of see flashes of things, but I don't know if those are images or if they're something else…it's all blurry and really confusing… but I'm really curious as to why I don't remember the part when I woke up…I mean, if I woke up, I wasn't under the influence of drugs anymore, or atleast…not enough to stay unconscious so….why can't I remember any of that?"
"I don't know, Inoue…I mean, you definitely were coherent when you woke up…but you did pass out again soon after but I mean…You suffered a really traumatizing night. Your mind could have just blocked it out…"
"Maybe…or maybe something else did…"
"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked, curious.
"Well, I agree it could have been something put in place to protect me from everything that happened….but it might not have been my mind, or at least just my mind…"
"Wait, so what could have..oh! You mean your Shun Shun Rikka?"
"Yeah, I think that would make the most sense…especially with all the flashes I'm having…"
"I think that seems most logical." Chad butted in, speaking up from the chair he was now relaxing in. "When you first woke, I had that suspicion. I mean, clearly you were in a traumatizing situation, and your Shun Shun Rikka are an extension of your will power…so maybe you willed yourself to forget it all because it was so much to handle, especially in such a fragile state of mind…"
Orihime nodded, her face becoming flushed. "I wanted to forget…" she whispered, morely to herself than the others in the room. "Now the question is… do I want to remember?"
Sorry this is super late! And yes, it turned out to be somewhat of a filler chapter. I had more written but it's been so long that I felt I needed to post The second half (aka Chapter 12) wil be up soon and that wil have al those things I promised you! Please review and again, I am so sorry! Life's been insane! I appreciate every one though!