Hey. I wrote this alongside I Need You. It's just a little bit of backstory, and isn't really part of the main dialogue. But I thought you'd like to read it. Sure, it's purely and unashamedly filler, but I really wanted to share it.

It's set within mere weeks after the war. Ichigo is not depressed at this point. I really want to stress this fact. At this point in the story, Ichigo hasn't come to realise how life changing life without his shinigami powers truly is. It's almost like he's taking a holiday of his duties. Recollect how Chad said in an earlier chapter about Ichigo seeming fine after the war, then it becoming more and more strained? Yeah, that hasn't happened yet.

Between rescuing Rukia, and being reunited with her when she and the others join his class, a month passes. Sure, he does lose his fire then, but like I have already said, it's only been a few weeks.

However, that isn't too important for this chapter. This chapter focuses on our favourite last Quincy. My story is very IchiRuki centric, but I want to incorporate the other characters as much as I can. If anything, this chapter should be viewed as something to supplement the main story. It gives you a little understanding on events that occurred in the previous chapter, but in all honesty, it bears little relevance to the actual story.

Depending on how well this 'bonus chapter' is received, I may incorporate more. Writing these actually helps me write the main story. Also, because they aren't relevant to the story, but the characters, I can have a little fun with them, and still give you an update, even if my muse gives out on me!

These are considerably shorter than the story chapters – I fear this A/N is longer than the actual chapter. If you don't won't any more of these chapters, please say so, and I'll keep them hidden away in a file on my computer. If you do want more, then, as and when relevant, I'll upload them. Of course, I will let you know if it's story or bonus.

Oh and I had so much fun writing this. I can actually imagine this happening!

So please review, as it's important to me. I really hope you like it.

Bonus Chapter: Ishida's secret

The bell rang signalling the end of lunch break, and the students of Karakura High school returned to their classrooms.

"Right class," Ochi-sensei called them to attention, "this afternoon, we will be taking time out of our usual schedule to supplement your learning with a sexual health class."

Ichigo groaned. He'd heard everything he could ever want to know about sexual health, and more than he did not want to know, courtesy of his father.

Ishida suppressed a sigh. He too, knew the clinical details of sexual health – his father was also a doctor, although he highly doubted that his father had told him quite as much as Kurosaki's. He had met the father of the orange haired classmate of his, and had concluded that the man was by no means discrete.

Half the class groaned. Keigo and Honsho Chizuru squealed in delight. "Will there be a practical test? Inoue-san, be my partner for the practical –"

"Kyaaaaa! 'Hime, you're just so cute! I could show you some sexual –"

"Knock it off, you two!" Tatsuki sighed, as she dealt the duo a punch each. Protecting Orihime is like a full time job!

"Class, settle down. Class!" Ochi-sensei's voice was drowned out by sexual innuendos left, right and centre. Ichigo's head was already pounding. He just wanted to get this class over and done with.

"Oi! Shut up!"

"Kurosaki, you're just adding to the noise!" Ishida retorted.

"So are you, Ishida! So shut up!"

"Unlike you, Kurosaki, I don't need this lesson! My father – "

"Your father? You've met Oyaji right? I know more than any boy my age –"

"Kurosaki-kun, you shouldn't shout like that – "

"'Hime-chan! Don't strain your beautiful voice –"

"Let go of her, Chizuru!" Tatsuki's fist came down on the head of the lusty girl.

"Tatsuki-chan!"

"Arisawa-san, perhaps we could let Honsho-san and Inoue-san demonstrate –"

"Keigo…I'm warning you!"

"Asano-san, you really ask for it, you know."

"Ichiiiiiigo! You'll save me right – Ow, Ichigo, why do you ignore me –"

"Man, you're annoying."

"You're the annoying one, Kurosaki!"

"Oh yeah? Bring it, four-eyes!"

"Ishida-kun, please don't fight Kurosaki-kun –"

"Four eyes? Why you –"

"CLASS ENOUGH!" Ochi-sensei shouted at the top of her voice. Shocked into sudden silence the class just looked at their sensei. "Right now that's out of your systems; can we please get onto the lesson?" Her voice grew weary. She sounded tired.

The class nodded as a collective.

"Thank you. Now, today we'll be discussing when and why people choose to have sex for the first time. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Yes, Asano?"

"Because the girl is hot?"

Everyone sighed, and Ichigo took the liberty of knocking the pervert out.

"Yes, Kurosaki?"

"Me? I wasn't –"

"Just answer the question, Ichigo."

He ran a hand through his hair. "My mother always told me that love is sacred. My father is an absolute moron who thinks I should be producing kids like some sort of machine. I don't really care right now, but there should be love before there are kids."

"Ha, Kurosaki loves his okaa –" jeered a voice in the back of the room.

"Shut up, baka. Kurosaki's mother is dead, and you will be if you don't shut up!" Another voice hissed.

"Ah, well, very good, Kurosaki. Mizuiro, your opinion?"

"Ah, well. People make their own decisions on when and why they have sex, Ochi-sensei."

"You haven't had sex?" A revived Keigo interjected, before being bashed on the head by Tatsuki.

Mizuiro shrugged non-committedly.

"Sado?"

"Abuelo said sex is a crude description, and for those who share no love."

He offered nothing more. The teacher fumbled around before moving onto the next person. "Ano, what about you, Inoue? When and why do you want to have sex?"

A fierce blush coloured the quiet girl's cheeks. Ichigo wasn't too inattentive to notice that Ishida's body rigidified and turned to the flower wielder. Hmm, seems Ishida's got a soft spot for Inoue.

"Well…ano…I'd want to wait until marriage before doing that. But I think I'd want to… do that… to show my love to my partner."

Both the girl and the Quincy reddened. Oh hell yeah, Quincy. I've got you now.

The bell rung. "That's the time already? I didn't even finish the lesson, because you all started yammering on! You are dismissed!"

Most of the class all but ran out of the door, but Ichigo hung back. Chad was curious at his friend's behaviour and also stayed.

"Huh, Ichigo, aren't you coming?"

"Nah, Tatsuki, you can go ahead. Me and Chad need to talk to four-eyes here."

"Ah. Ja ne Ichigo, Sado-san, Ishida-san." Tatsuki dragged Inoue out with her.

The archer pushed his glasses up his nose. "What's up, Kurosaki?"

Both the Quincy and the Giant stared at the former shinigami. Neither understood what this was about. "You like Inoue?"

A blush crawled up Ishida face and Ichigo could supress a laugh.

"Really?" The tiger eyed the Quincy, who mumbled something under his breath.

"What was that, Quincy?"

"I said that I wasn't going to take her from you, you deaf – "

"Take Inoue from me?" Ichigo looked puzzled.

"Yes. We all know she's in love with you!"

The Kurosaki scowled. Chad nodded in agreement with Ishida.

"But I don't like Inoue like that. She's just a friend."

"So you –"

"Ishida, do you like Inoue?"

After a long silence, the prideful Quincy bowed his head into a nod.

"I thought so." The giant mused.

Ichigo just smiled.

"But I can't tell her, not when she loves you."

"Ah. I'm sorry, Ishida." His apology was genuine.

"It's not your fault, Ichigo. Inoue-san will understand one day that you are meant for Ku – I mean, you aren't meant together."

"Yeah." Ichigo didn't catch onto his nakama's slip of the tongue.

"I will wait for her. When she realises for herself she isn't meant for a lowlife like you, I will care for her. I don't want to try and change her feelings, because she'll think I'm trying to turn her against you."

"You are wise, Ishida-san. Inoue is not the type of girl who is easily swayed when it comes to matters of the heart. Her resolve is unbelievable." The tallest of the three remarked.

"Ah."

"Yeah. Ishida, I don't think I could tell her I'm not interested either. I don't want her to be intent on 'winning me' – like some of the other girls around here have after I told them that."

"Then it is decided. We do nothing until Ku – Inoue-san realises for herself that Ichigo does not return her affection."

Ichigo nodded.

"You'd do that –"

"Shut up, nerd. It's not like we're friends or anything."

"Us, friends? What warped planet would we have to be on to be friends?"

Chad sighed. For two people who aren't friends, they act an awful lot like they are.