Getting It Right

by D U A L I T Y x2

Set after chapter 402. He killed Aizen but he hasn't won. They died, all of them. Now he has a chance to save them again, and this time he was going to get it right ::Multiple pairings::

12. 11: No Play

We don't own Bleach, Kubo Tite does.

Looking back at the last chapter I now notice I had said you all were going to get chapter 12. OOPS XD we are on 11. Thank you all so much for your answers. It was good to see where you all saw the story going. I hope none of you are disappointed! :MM:

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Chapter 11: No Play

The sun shone high in the sky, obscured by only a few stray clouds hanging about. Occasionally one would make its way across the large orb of light, casting a cooling shade down on the people below. It was peaceful, beautiful and cooling. In the streets below a baker put a fresh loaf of bread out by the window hoping the smell would draw someone in.

Ichigo leaned back against a wall of the building he was currently resting on top of. His eyes lazily watched over the section of town he was in, watching for the tell-tale signs of a hollow about to appear. Rikka sat on his shoulder, the little plushy enjoying her time out of Orihime's apartment and outside with the fresh air and breeze. It wasn't that Orihime kept her cooped up on purpose, but it would be incredibly hard to explain a walking talking doll out in public. Ichigo was somewhat thankful that he didn't need to try and come up with stories like he had before. One lifetime of Kon's antics was enough.

It had already been a week since Ichigo had moved in with the auburn haired Shinigami, and he really couldn't say he regretted it. For the first time, in what felt like years, he honestly believed things could get better for him. Things were already going pretty well, Rukia trusted him, and they were almost on par with the bond he had with the Rukia he'd lost. Only this Rukia seemed to enjoy hitting him a bit too much. Most often he was spared by Orihime just in the nick of time.

It almost hurt Ichigo to realize how little he must have known about the Orihime he lost or the one he had come to live with. It had only been a few days and already Ichigo had learned so much about her.

She was brilliant, her mind worked quickly and in impossible ways, but she was incredibly intelligent. She was able to hammer out homework in seconds when it would have taken him hours, and he had done most of the assignments before in his dimension. Perhaps it was from years of living alone, but even the way she cleaned up the house after dinner, or the way she created amazing foods with so little; it all seemed like Orihime had made it an art. Then there was the time he just spent with her watching Laugh Hour -which he couldn't completely understand- or helping her dry dishes, when he felt that warm feeling in his chest. He didn't know what it was, but he damn sure wasn't going to fight it.

It had only been a week, but so much felt like it had changed. While Orihime was at school he had taken over hollow duty, freeing her up and easing her burden. He was still cautious around Tatsuki; the black haired girl had nearly gone off the handle when she learned Ichigo was now staying with Orihime. The tomboy was still following Orihime home and staying over for as late as she could. Chad made time to stop by and talk with him, nothing serious, just the general nonsense and unimportant crap that normal teenagers and friends were supposed to talk about. Normal... it was amazing how this world was starting to feel so much like that, yet so hard at the same time.

Ichigo tried not to leave the apartment often, only to walk Orihime to school and pick her up, or when he went to Urahara's. It didn't take Ichigo longer than a day to figure out that Karakura-cho was a smaller place than it looked on a map, especially when you were trying to avoid the people you were related to. If he stayed inside, and only left to hunt hollows or walk with his friends, he could pretend they didn't hate him. So that's what he did.

Ichigo made sure to savor the happy moments, it wouldn't be long now until Soul Society made their move. Or more appropriately, the Aizen manipulated Soul Society wasn't far from making their move. He'd probably have to start planning soon, getting prepared for Rukia's rescue, and making sure Orihime didn't get in over her head.

"Onii-chan." Rikka's childish voice made Ichigo crack open an eye. He followed her gaze over to a rip in the sky where a hollow was preparing to drop down.

With a sigh Ichigo stood up, stretching his relaxed muscles. He walked towards the edge of the building closest to the Garganta, insuring he got as good a view as he could. With a quick motion of his arm, his mask was on. He didn't really need it to beat any of the small hollows that kept popping up, but he figured he'd pushed back his training far enough. Before he'd left Shinji and Urahara behind, he'd been given a basic grasp on how to form a cero, and it would undoubtedly be a useful skill to have when he entered Soul Society. Now it was all about mastering the technique, and to even create the thing he needed his mask.

He stretched out his hand, concentrating his harsh reiatsu into a small, red orb in his palm. Focusing and holding it was easy, next came the difficult part. It was a strange thing really; Ichigo had never been a long distance fighter, so the use of a cero was foreign to him. Aiming was a muddled process that he could only guess at. So he carefully watched the Garganta, aiming through the spaces of his curled fingers. The second the hollow showed itself, he let the energy fly. It quickly crossed the distance and hit the side of the hollow's mask, its fall became one of a dead hollow, its body disintegrating before it hit the ground.

"Not bad Kurosaki-san."

"Clearly he wasn't watchin'. Ya missed again King."

Ichigo sighed, agreeing to his hollow's comment. Dismissing his mask, he looked over at Urahara, sitting idly on the ledge behind him and Rikka.

"Though it seems like your aim could use some work."

"We could practice on you."

"I'm not a ranged fighter like Ishida." Ichigo said, walking back to his seat beside the mod soul, "I do all my fighting up close and personal. Getsuga Tensho is kinda long ranged, but it's broad, I don't really have to aim it."

Urahara nodded in understanding, "Ceros are more condensed for a stronger strike, and they require better aim. I must say, I am glad to at least see you're practicing on hollows. I doubt my training grounds could withstand your target practice."

"Did you show up for something Urahara?" Ichigo asked, hating how Urahara always rambled before getting to the point.

"Oh, just checking in, the shop hasn't had many visitors lately, and I've been a little worried about you." Urahara pulled out a pipe from his coat, quickly sticking the end between his teeth and lighting it, "You're staying with Inoue-san now. That's a good sign."

"I didn't really have a choice, she wasn't going to take no for an answer."

"It's always the innocent looking ones you have to look out for." The shop keeper let out a chuckle as Ichigo turned to glare at him, "I never thought Inoue-san had such a forceful side. Next thing you know, you'll be staying in her bed too."

The harsh reiatsu was the only warning Urahara had before he dodged out of the way of a cero. The shop keeper smiled, keeping a firm hold on his pipe as he landed a few feet away from his previous position, his pose and stature seemingly unchanged. It was just too easy to tease the young Vizard when it came to the auburn haired girl. His over protectiveness was rather adorable when you got past the brutality of his reaction.

"You missed again." His hollow commented sounding more bored than anything. Ichigo could just see him lounging around on the side of a building, using Zangetsu's shikai for shade. When normally he'd join in on the hazing the hollow seemed content with the world. It was strange and unnerving. Ichigo almost missed the violence.

"Now, now, Kurosaki-san." Urahara said, pulling out his fan and hiding the bottom half of his face with it, "Do you really want to kill the man who's about to give you some advice for your cero training?"

"What advice could you have?" Ichigo asked, dismissing his mask again.

"Well, for starters, you're not condensing your reiatsu enough. Normally, ceros shoot straight because their power prevents any warping of its path. Also, you haven't shot it enough to be able to tell its natural trajectory. You're pretty much just estimating and shooting."

"How do you know how to shoot a cero?" Ichigo asked.

"It's not that different from kido really. It just lacks the spells woven for control." Urahara took a long drag from his pipe and puffed the smoke out into the air, "But that's going to have to wait. Don't you have something to do in about an hour?"

"What are you talking about?" Ichigo asked, sounding more than a little annoyed.

"Onii-chan!" Rikka jumped up and down, trying her hardest to pick up the heavy wristwatch her blurry friend had given her to keep track of time. Ichigo picked it up and instantly his temper rose.

"No way! I've been up here for three hours?" Ichigo glared at Urahara, mad that the shop keeper hadn't told him when he had first arrived.

"Give Inoue-san my best, Kurosaki-kun."

Ichigo placed Rikka on his shoulder and shunpoed away. Seconds later, he landed on his window sill and hopped down onto the floor as quietly as possible. This was the hardest part, being quiet and stealthy until he could get into his body. Rukia was good about keeping Orihime away from his room or door when he was out on a hollow run, but he was still worried about being caught. Rikka hopped off his shoulder and ran to the door, being extra careful not to make a sound.

"I'll see you later Onii-chan." She whispered as she left.

Ichigo's body, now complete with soul, shot up in a hurry and dashed forward to his closet, all the while chanting f-bombs as if the word would make time slow down. Quickly he stripped out of his t-shirt, and tripped himself as he tried to kick off his jeans. He hit the floor with a loud thud that he was sure shook the whole apartment.

"Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime asked form the other side of the door. "Are you okay?"

Ichigo cursed again as he sat back up and rubbing the goose egg on his head. He had hoped Orihime hadn't heard his crash landing. At least only his hollow had seen it.

"I'm fine." He groaned, and stood back up. He was pulling his black button up shirt and matching slacks when he added. "Just kind of running behind..."

"Okay, be careful, I don't want to take you to the hospital."

'Especially because the closest one is my family's.' Ichigo added as he fixed up his tie. The orange haired shinigami substitute looked over at the calendar on the back of his door. Today was Hayate's funeral. Orihime had been anxious for it since the teen's aunt came over a few days ago and told her about the date. The husky brunette woman nearly choked Ichigo with her tight hug. It was awkward coming from a woman he'd never met, but he tried to play along.

Ichigo hoped that Hayate found a good home in Soul Society. He knew that the chances of the teen being near the gate they arrived in front of was slim, but he couldn't help but selfishly wish that the boy had done what Ichigo had asked of him. And though he hated Hayate's reasons, he hoped that he was at least starting on his journey towards being a Shinigami.

Ichigo stepped out of his room, his hair messy, his shirt untucked, his tie wasn't tied right and the top buttons were undone, but as far as he was concerned, he was ready. Rukia was sitting on the couch wearing a simple black dress Orihime had quickly sewn for her -another one of Orihime's amazing talents that Ichigo was noticing- with Rikka on her lap watching Don Kanonji rant and laugh on TV.

"I can't believe you're watching this." Ichigo said, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"It was just what was on." Rukia looked up at him, showing him she was chewing on a potato chip. "Orihime is in the bedroom getting her shoes."

Ichigo blushed, "I could have guessed that, you don't have to tell me where she is all the time. I'm not her mother."

Rikka giggled drawing both Ichigo and Rukia's attention. "Look Nee-san! Onii-chan looks like a strawberry. He's all red."

Rukia laughed and Ichigo's face became redder. Rukia's laughter made his eyebrows furrow further but, just as he was about to yell at the short Shinigami, another one entered the room and caught his attention. Ichigo turned and faced Orihime, suddenly his blush disappeared, and he lost his harsh comments for Rukia. He didn't even remember why he was going to yell at her. He was too taken in by Orihime. Her dress was a simple short sleeved black gown that reached her knees. She had a black knitted shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Her hair was uncharacteristically pulled away from her face and fashioned with a black bow. The auburn locks still flowed down, showing a little curl, but only enough to add body. She was an angel cloaked in black, and he couldn't take his eyes away. That weird feeling was starting to grow, making his head fuzzy. Orihime looked at Ichigo's sloppy appearance and blushed.

He looked like a model from a magazine. A bad boy who didn't care about rules, and would turn your world upside down. He was dressed in black, and the color seemed to suit him and only make his orange hair pop. The red tie dangling in a shoddy knot around his neck only added to the look and splashed in a sense of dominance and superiority.

She set her black dress flats down on the table and walked up to Ichigo. He was frozen. All it seemed his body would allow him to move was his eyes as they followed auburn hair until it was less than a foot away from touching his chest.

"You tied it wrong, Kurosaki-kun." She whispered, untying the tight knot and redoing it. All the while she blushed and Ichigo watched her quietly. Ichigo knew that if anyone else had tried such a domestic act on him, he would have snapped at them. He didn't want to be babied and he could dress himself, but Orihime just took him over and he couldn't stop her, even as she buttoned his shirt up and pushed the tie up to his collar.

She stepped back and studied his look, quickly both teens blushed and Rukia smiled, snapping another picture with her phone for reference for the picture she needed to draw later.

"Kurosaki-kun, you..."

Ichigo felt himself leaning forward but stopped. "Yeah?"

"You need to tuck in your shirt, you look kind of silly." She bowed her blushing face and moved into the kitchen. Ichigo blanched and looked down. Rukia burst out with loud laughter, unable to hold it in any longer. Ichigo glared.

"Shut up Rukia, no one wants to hear your annoying voice." Ichigo made quick work of the problem. As he glared at the short shinigami he pulled down his tie until it hung loose once again and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt. It wasn't a move against Orihime, but more because he couldn't stand having things around his neck. His instincts told them it was dangerous. Someone could choke him that way or use the slender red silk as an advantage. Not like he was expecting anyone to attack him today, except for maybe another smothering embrace by Hayate's aunt, but he had spent so much of his short life fighting. Apart of his mind made sure he was always ready.

"You should calm that temper of yours." Rukia drawled out, then in a voice low enough for only Ichigo to hear, "Lover boy."

Ichigo's face took on another shade of red and his glare increased. Just as he was about yell something at the short shinigami again, Orihime called from the front door. With a deep breath Ichigo forced himself to calm down. He and Rukia had agreed on no shenanigans, and to not make a scene during Hayate's funeral, or around Orihime. Ichigo could still see the sadness around her during the week, even though she had shed all her tears for the boy that first night he stayed with them. It was obvious to him that she was trying to keep herself together today as well.

Ichigo took the task of shutting off the lights, the television and locking the door behind them as the two girls left. Orihime seemed so quiet, almost in a trance and Rukia walked her down stairs. From behind her Ichigo noticed her missing hairpins were tucked into the delicate black bow tying the hair that would normally frame her face back. The splash of bright color seemed to almost be the subtle ray of hope. Hayate was dead, but in Soul Society he was alive. They had made sure he made it.

The group walked silently through the streets on their way to the funeral. Ichigo kept glancing over at Orihime, ready to step over in case she needed his help in any way. He almost made her turn around and go back home, but this was too important to her. Ichigo could relate.

…..

"Today, we commemorate the brave Shinigami who fought and died to protect Soul Society and the world of the living." Ukitake's voice rang strong through the large crowd present, all gathered at the top of Sokyoku Hill, "Their loss was unforeseeable, and will never be forgotten for the rest of history. They stand as a testament that when any evil reveals itself, there will always be those brave and strong enough to rise and fight against it."

Very few in the crowd were able to keep their eyes dry. The most obvious being Ichigo, standing at the very front, his dull eyes watching Ukitake's movements with an unnatural attention. The Hero of the Worlds hadn't shed a single tear. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and looked over to find Urahara beside him. The shop keeper gave him a solemn look, not able to put on a smile for his god-son. Shinji and Hacchi stood a little ways behind the former captain, both looking up on the eulogy with apt attention.

"In their honor, we dedicate this monument to them." A large cloth, held up by ropes, fell, revealing the stone monument Soul Society had built to remember the people who had died in the fight against Aizen.

Though their bodies had disintegrated away, the swords of the Shinigami who had died were still present, and had been buried into the stone to stand as a sign of their fight. Their names had been carved under their swords, with a few words below the names to commemorate them. But Ichigo's eyes forsook the main part to look further down, at a small spot that had been set aside for the others. Small niches had been carved into the stone to set the things left of his friends. Orihime's hairpins, Uryu's Quincy bracelet, Chad's medallion, and Nelliel's mask. Ichigo had fought tooth and nail to have her included in the memorial. Maybe she had been an arrancar, but damn it she fought and died with the rest of them, as one of them.

He felt Urahara's hand on his shoulder tighten for a second before he guided the boy forward, following himself. Many of the others in the front row moved forward as well, placing their flowers at the base of the monument for the captains and vice-captains they were here to remember today.

Ichigo ignored the rest and made his way to the spot set aside for his friends. Suddenly feeling weak, Ichigo fell to his knees. His eyes traveled over the small mementos they left behind, reminders of their lives, reminders that they had fought.

Reminders of how he had been too weak to protect them.

"Always remember. They fought and died to protect what was important to them."

"Ichigo." Shinji spoke from behind the orange haired shell of his friend. "You've been sitting here for three hours. The gate's ready of us. It's time to go home."

"Is that right?" Ichigo's voice was quiet and nearly lost in the sound of the heavy wind.

"Before you go…" Ukitake caught his attention now, kneeling down in front of the man who gave Rukia a second chance and allowed her to have friends for the first time since he had become her captain. "The captains felt that although we collected the possessions of your friends for the memorial. There was someone who deserved them more."

Ichigo looked up at the captain and then down the white haired man's hands. He held something in them positioned for Ichigo to hold out his own and take them. Ichigo held out his hand, but the motion lacked any true hope or anticipation.

"We had them copied. The true ones are now yours." Ukitake opened his hand, dropping the only things left of his friends into his grasp. Orihime's hairpins were slightly stained with blood. Uryu's Quincy Cross was missing a prong on the bottom and Chads coin had been cut along the top.

The people around Ichigo held their breath as he stared at the trinkets in his hands. To any normal person, they'd seem like simple things, trash even. But to Ichigo, they were the evidence that he would never see those people again.

Ichigo blinked slowly, his hand clutching his failures. When his eyes opened that small spark of life his eyes had left was gone

Ichigo was gone.

…..

"Ichigo!"

Ichigo snapped back to reality, finding Rukia and Orihime giving him worried looks. He looked around, and judging by the presence of other people in black, he guessed they had arrived at the funeral.

"Sorry." He said, reaching up and rubbing his eyes, "I was just thinking."

"You don't have to go in if you don't want to Kurosaki-kun." Orihime's soft voice spoke out.

"No." he answered, looking over at the auburn girl, "The least I can do is be here. And I intend to do just that."

Orihime and Rukia traded a quick glance before nodding their heads. Ichigo was determined to be there, to show his respect. Orihime admired that, it had taken a lot of willpower to get her legs to bring her so far. She had to be there for Hayate, but at the same time she felt she didn't belong. He had died because she had been too weak to protect him. And now that she was finally there, she couldn't seem to get her legs to listen to her.

"Inoue." Ichigo said, putting his hand gently on her shoulder, "Don't forget Rukia and I are here for you just as much as Hayate." He gently guided her towards the building; her legs finally working again as he gently pushed her along.

"Orihime, dear, you finally arrived." Cried Hayate's heavy aunt. The woman held out her arms, and encased Orihime into a vice like hug. Orihime gave the woman a gentle hug back, but kept her eyes downcast.

"Ichigo," The woman wept, "You're here too!"

The trails of makeup that already made their smudgy trail down the large woman's face told everyone around that she had been crying, and with as loud as she was even now, Ichigo wondered if the blessing of Hayate's grave could be heard over her theatrics. He chided himself for the insensitive words but his hollow agreed. It didn't make matters any better.

Again Ichigo stuck out his hand to give the woman a formal shake in greeting, and once again she pushed aside his hand and squeezed him, suffocating him with her large chest.

"I know Hayate will be so glad you two came. You were his only friends. The few he made in Kyoto couldn't come." The woman let go of Ichigo allowing him to catch his breath. A few people gave him sympathetic glances as he held his hand to his knee to keep himself upright.

The weeping woman pulled out her overused handkerchief and wiped at her eyes, which served to only make the black smudges worse. After her face was dried once again she turned to Orihime and gave her another squeezing hug, this time with only one arm. She needed the other one for her theatric gestures.

"You and Ichigo and of course your sweet little cousin should all sit in the front row with me."

"No, I am sorry Sakei-san. I don't think I deserve that honor." Orihime spoke quietly her face eyes not leaving the floor sense they arrived.

"Nonsense. You and Ichigo were the closest things Hayate had to siblings. He'd want to see you up front, not these people who only knew him by name."

The woman grabbed them both with Rukia being uncharacteristically quiet behind them and sat them in their seats. She wiped at her eyes once again and apologized, saying how happy she was that the two of them decided to come. A voice from outside called to her and she shuffled out of the main hall.

"That woman can certainly take charge of a room can't she?" Ichigo mumbled more to himself or even his inner hollow.

"Sakei-kun had that same skill." Orihime whispered. Her eyes never left the closed casket in front of them.

Ichigo bowed his head. He had no words this time that could help her without feeling like a broken record. It was okay to cry, he'd told her that, but there are times when you didn't want to. Sometimes emotions were too strong to deal away with by just a few tears. He could tell her they were there for her, but she was surrounded by both Rukia and himself. It was impossible for her to forget them. He couldn't tell her how he would deal with it. The last funeral he had been to was hers. And with Tatsuki yelling at him, and punching him out in the middle of the service, it was hard to try and relate to any normal circumstance. Uryu was buried in a private ceremony and Chad's body was sent to Mexico to be buried with his family. So before Inoue's funeral, the only ones he had been to were for his father and sisters, and before that was his mother's. With the pain of their rejection still fresh in his mind, he didn't even want to think about them; it hurt so much.

"Last funeral I was at was Onii-chan's" Orihime whispered, as if hearing his thoughts. "I sat in the front row then too, and you were sitting to my left just like you are now. I was mad at your family sitting next to me. I was so angry that Onii-chan left me, even after I begged him not to, even after Masaki-san told me it was going to be okay…"

Ichigo looked at Orihime. Her face was blank, even her smile was missing. Her eyes were still trained on box holding Hayate's body. He had never heard from Orihime past the events following her brother's death. She had come and gone from his life in a matter of hours. The only memory he had of her was when he opened the door to greet her, and when she gave him a small smile as she left, thanking him and his father for trying everything they could to save her brother.

The two dimensions were too different…

"Inoue…"

"I was so mad I didn't want to cry, but Kurosaki-kun was doing enough for the both of us." Orihime lightly smiled, the simple sign was enough for Ichigo to brush aside the idea of him bawling over the death of a person he'd never met. Then again, it seemed like Ichigo searched for reasons to cry. That, or he was that empathetic.

"I broke your nose, when I told you to stop crying and you didn't." Ichigo blanched. He never thought that Orihime would even act out in violence. Seeing her fight anything was a foreign concept to him. But he couldn't help but smile. How he wished he had been just a fly on the wall to see Orihime slam a tiny little fist into his face.

"That's one way to get someone to stop crying." He tried to joke, lightly elbowing her and allowing her small grin to grow.

"Thank you." Orihime looked up at him, her eyes strong but filled with small unshed tears.

"For what?" Ichigo asked, not being able to look away.

"For crying then…" She whispered, her hand slowly coming to grab the edge of his shirt near his wrist. Ichigo fought off a blush, and felt his hand twitch with anticipation – anticipating what, he didn't know.

"And thank you for being strong now. This strength is the kind I need to get through this." She cocked her head to the side and gave him a sweet smile. A single tear started to fall. How he wanted to brush it away.

He hated seeing her cry. Since he'd gotten here it seemed like he had seen her cry more times than her counterpart. The thought killed him and pushed him to try harder. He wasn't protecting her enough. He would though. He would get this right.

Once again her smile was contagious, and even though his smile to her was small, it still warmed her heart. She looked back ahead, suddenly feeling relaxed. Wanting to comfort her with his reiatsu like she did him, Ichigo gently moved his hand to her knee and gave it a small squeeze before moving it back, her tight grip on his shirt never left.

"I promise not to cry this time then." She smiled at his whispered comment. Once again she was thankful to simply have him near.

-0-

Tatsuki let out a sigh as she leaned back against the bench she sitting on. She wanted to be where Orihime was, at Hayate's funeral. She could feel the apprehension coming off her auburn friend for the last few days leading up to it. But since she couldn't be there, she trusted Rukia and Ichigo in her place… Well, she trusted Rukia, Ichigo not so much. Though, if it were any other guy besides Ichigo, they'd have a few broken bones. She didn't even understand why she let Orihime and Rukia talk her out of beating the ever loving crap out of him when she learned he was living with her, he had his family didn't he?

With another sigh, Tatsuki let her thoughts go. Thinking on the questions she didn't have answers to would only keep bothering her. Ichigo was staying with Orihime and Rukia, it was how it was. And even though Rukia was obviously not Orihime's cousin, she trusted the short girl. She had done more than her fair share the night Sora turned up as that monster.

Oh yes, Tatsuki remembered that night. It was a wonder she could even forget. She remembered Rukia using some small device on her, and then she fell unconscious, and for the next few days she walked around like normal, not a single memory from that night. Then she started seeing things. Blurry figures at first, though she only thought something was wrong with her vision. A visit with an eye doctor proved that wrong, and then the figures started to get clearer. When they came into full focus, the memories started returning as well. It wasn't much at first, just blurred images, slurred voices, but the emotions she felt came through loud and clear. And just like with the spirits she could now see, the memories cleared up as well.

"What have you gotten yourself involved in Orihime?" Tatsuki mumbled, looking up at the sky.

Her first instinct had been to run over to Orihime and confront her about everything. But then it occurred to her, Orihime didn't want her involved with what was going on. Tatsuki was a strong person; she excelled at karate and took pride in that fact. But against monsters like Sora had been, monsters she knew Orihime was now fighting on practically an everyday basis, she was useless. And the bitter fact set in that not being involved was the best way for her to help her friend.

But that unfortunately left the problem of her seeing spirits. It was one thing when they were wondering around trying to figure out what was going on with themselves. But it was another thing when they decided to take full advantage of people's inability to see them and start making out everywhere they went, which is why she had to leave the store her mother sent her too. Apparently the middle of the grocery isle was just as good as outside to a pair of ghosts.

"Agh!"

The distressed cry brought Tatsuki's attention from the sky to a small girl who had just scraped her knee on the ground. She was only a few feet away and could already see the tears forming in the girl's eyes. On closer inspection, the chain attached to her chest revealed that she was a spirit as well. There was a short debate with herself on whether she should go over and help, or just keep sitting, and not make herself look crazy to anybody who passed by. It was a debate that she lost when the girl let out a small whimper. With a grunt from moving her formerly still muscles, Tatsuki stood up and made her way over to the girl.

"Hey there." She greeted with a smile, crouching down to get a better look.

"You." The girl sniffed and wiped at her eyes, calming down now that someone was finally noticing her, "You can see me?"

"Yeah, but that's not what's important right now." Tatsuki reached down and gently helped the girl up, "Um . . . I don't know if getting some spray and a band-aid will help, but we can try right?"

Despite her uneasiness in the situation, Tatsuki couldn't stop the smile that came to her face as the little girl's own lit up in happiness. Suddenly, Tatsuki could see why Orihime did what she did so long ago. For children, knowing they were dead and not passed on would be hard enough, but to deal with the hardships and not having anyone there to help them, it only made it worse.

Just as the two turned to leave the park, an unearthly roar rang through the air. Tatsuki froze still at the sound, looking down to see the little girl breathing hard, a look of pure fear and horror etched on her face. The pair looked behind them to see a large rip open in the sky. A pure white mask appeared, two piercing yellow eyes peeking out from behind it, and then a large monstrous body followed. The hollow looked around the area it was in, before settling its gaze on the two girls staring at it.

It could smell them, their tasty, tantalizing scents.

The second it took its first step towards them, Tatsuki knew it was after them. She didn't know how, she just knew she had to run; she had to get the girl away from it. She reached down and gripped the girl's hand, pulling her along as she turned and ran out of the park. The streets were pretty much abandoned, something she was thankful for as the monster followed them, making the ground shake as it lumbered after them. But no matter how far she ran, or how many turns she made, the creature just kept gaining on them.

It was like a bad dream, one where you ran and ran and the door never got any closer. You could feel the monster on you heals nipping and growling but you couldn't move any faster. You wanted so badly to wake up because you knew it was a dream and you knew it was about to kill you, but you couldn't. You were defenseless against your own mind. But this was not dream. This was reality, but still she was trapped. Defenseless.

As they rounded a corner for the seventh time, Tatsuki let go of the girl's hand, pushing her forward as she turned around.

"What are you doing?" The girl asked, tears back in her eyes.

"I'm buying you some time." Tatsuki answered, looking over her shoulder at the girl, "Now get going."

"But-"

"I said 'Go'!" Tatsuki yelled, giving the girl the same look she gave her little siblings when she threatened them into doing their chores. The little girl hesitated for a moment before turning and continuing to run down the street.

Just as the girl was out of sight, the hollow came around the corner, growling in delight at having cornered one of its targets. The other girl may have been gone, but it would only be a matter of time until it found her.

Tatsuki stood her ground, gritting her teeth together to keep them from shaking in fear. If she ever thought one thing about herself, it was that she a realist. True, her ideals had been thrown a little out of whack when she started seeing spirits, but a little adjustment and they were compensated for. It was those ideals that told her she was in over her head, probably about to die. But, if she was going to die, she'd go down fighting.

Her heart was pounding in her ears as the hollow brought up a giant fist, then swung it down at her. Her instincts told her to jump back, and she obeyed. The fist connected with the pavement, showering her with bits and pieces, and she used that opportunity. Mustering all the strength she could, she jumped and swung her foot towards its gut.

Strangely, the kick was effective, and the hollow was knocked back a few steps, growling in pain. As Tatsuki landed and took up a stance, she chanced a look down at her leg. It felt strange, but it wasn't in pain, the opposite really. Her leg felt . . . strong, stronger than it should have. It was like some power was flowing around it, through it, protecting it and making it more effective against this enemy. And that same power was slowly flowing through her body, to her other leg and arms.

Suddenly, Tatsuki knew she could win. She braced as the creature righted itself, focusing back on her and preparing for another attack. She could feel the energy flowing through both her legs as she tensed up to dodge. But before she could make a move, a bright blue blur shot over her head and connected with the hollow's mask. With a roar it stumbled back, falling before it disintegrated away.

A second later, Tatsuki felt the energy leave her, and with it, all her vitality. She fell to her knees, panting with exhaustion. She felt as if she had just gone a hundred rounds with her karate teacher, no holding back. A cold sweat covered her body, a mixture of fear and exertion.

"That was rather foolish on your part." sounded a condescending voice from behind her.

Tatsuki turned her head as best she could, suddenly feeling stiff all over, to see Ishida Uryu walking up to her. She just caught the last of a blue light around his right wrist disappearing before he stood in front of her, pushing up his glasses.

"Ishida?" She panted, "Did you just-"

"Yes, I took care of that hollow." He said, crossing his arms as he looked down on her, "Though the question here is why you thought you could take it on yourself?"

"The girl?" Tatsuki asked, too exhausted to care about his cool demeanor and condescending tone.

"I guided her to a safe place before coming back. I figured you could stay a live long enough."

Tatsuki didn't know whether to be pissed off or happy. On the one hand, he had pretty much left her against a creature that probably would have killed her. On the other hand, he had, had enough faith in her skills and abilities to trust she'd do well against it so that he could take care of the little girl then come back. Before she had a chance to say anything to him, Uryu turned and started walking away.

"Wait." She called out, prompting him to stop and turn to face her, "You called that thing a hollow. Is that their name?"

"If you have any questions about them, just ask Kuchiki." Uryu pushed his glasses up again before continuing his walk away. "I have no interest in tutoring people on the ways of the afterlife."

Tatsuki settled for pissed off as Uryu left her sight. If she hadn't been so tired she'd have run after him and kicked his scrawny ass for not even offering to help her. It took almost everything she had to pull herself off the ground and start on her way home. Though it was strange to see what had happened, whatever Orihime was involved in, it looked like Uryu was a part of it as well.

If anything happened to Orihime, Ishida Uryu would be the first one she was going to make pay.

-0-

The funeral, though little had happened, had been exhausting. Ichigo could tell it took a lot out of Orihime to keep from breaking down and crying. And a part of him had wanted to take her out of there and let her cry her heart out again. But she wanted to be there, wanted to know she was strong enough to face her failures; and he wouldn't take that away from her. The want and need was what made her so much stronger than him, even if she didn't know bankai or have some deep seeded inner hollow. She could live with failures and loss. She met them head on. He broke down and ran away.

Ichigo was both relieved and disappointed to not see his parents there. Relieved to know he wouldn't have to face them, and disappointed that they hadn't come out to show their respect for Hayate, surely the boy's aunt had invited them. He was tempted to borrow a cell phone and call to demand they show up. They had no right to punish Hayate's family for his mistakes. But he knew that if they showed up, he wouldn't have been able to stand it. He would have run away again, like the coward he was, and left Orihime to deal with her pain on her own. The Kurosaki's not showing up was probably for the best. He hoped Hayate understood.

Ichigo smiled. The little punk probably only cared that Orihime showed. Other than her, the rest of the room would have been invisible. It was a good thing she sat in front where he hoped, even in Soul Society, he could see her.

Halfway through, Orihime had started leaning on Ichigo. He caught Rukia looking over, and was glad the short woman had enough tact not to start laughing or grinning at the sight, not there. He didn't push her away or try and remove the hand that had moved down started to grip his own hand like a vice, even when the service was ended and they all started heading home. He caught Rukia taking a picture of her leaning against him for support as they walked through the streets, but he didn't feel like yelling at her. They were still quiet as they made their way into the apartment.

'I'm going to head to bed early." Orihime mumbled.

"'Night Inoue," Ichigo said as he watched her drag her feet into her room.

"I will be in soon too." Rukia added. Ichigo was starting to wonder why things in this dimension seemed to be taking a larger toll. Sora as an adjuchas, being one. Rukia's gigai binding to her soul and tiring her out faster and harder was another.

Ichigo remembered a day before, when Orihime had approached Kagemusha and asked him to take hollow patrol today. He didn't say anything as he accepted, already knowing what was happening. If there was anything he could do to help her through today, as Ichigo or Kagemusha, he'd do it. But first he knew there was one small fire he needed to deal with before it got out of control once again.

"Rukia, before I go can I see your cell phone?" Ichigo asked coolly taking out his own that Urahara had given him as a simple safety measure. Unlike Rukia's that spotted hollows, his had a small countdown to a date that only he knew the significance of –not even Urahara knew, despite his attempts at finding out. The phone also kept tabs on his friend's –Chad, Uryu, Orihime and Rukia's- locations and levels of spiritual pressure.

"What? Why?" She asked clutching the thing to her flat chest.

"I want to see if you got the updated version." He fibbed for once, hoping she bought it as he simply clicked away on buttons, feeling somewhat like Muzuiro. He checked to make sure how much memory his card had. Hopefully it would be enough.

"Oh…" She slowly handed it over, watching Ichigo with hawk's eyes.

He pocketed his own phone and grabbed hers. A few clicks, and his mission was complete. His phone was on silent still from the funeral so he was thankful that she would never notice the full extent of what he did. He wondered what would happen if he was ever found out. He also couldn't help but ask what possessed him to do it in the first place.

"Here you go." He tossed it back to her, the screen still showing a bright pink chappy bunny with the words 'PHOTOS DELETED' in large block letters. The instant Rukia saw it she gasped, her face turning red with anger and loss. There were over twenty pictures! Her Ichihime collection had just been permanently crippled.

"How dare you!" She growled, still being discreet enough to speak quietly and don't disturb Orihime.

"They were pictures of me; I had the right to get rid of them if I wanted to."

"But it was my phone and I took them!"

"Hey, just feel lucky I let you keep your wallpaper." Ichigo smiled and watched her look down bashfully at the crappy drawing of a bunny Renji, in his student uniform, swinging around a wooden katana.

"That was none of your business!" she growled, her anger only getting worse.

"But the other pictures were."

With little else left to say Ichigo turned his back on the fuming Rukia and went to his room. He was quick to leave his body and dive out his still opened window. This time he wouldn't take Rikka. He found himself on the same rooftop he had left hours ago, only now the scenery felt different. The sun had set. The stars and crescent moon were his only light. Below, streetlamps came to life as a group of study hall students nosily walked by. Ichigo reclined back on the edge of the building letting one leg dangle off the ledge. He took a few minutes to just relax and feel all the tension he had absorbed from Orihime during the past few hours drain away.

After a few minutes, Ichigo sat up and looked around. Somehow, it felt like Urahara or Uryu or some crazed hollow was going to sneak up on him. Finding no one, he turned so both his legs hung from the ledge and took out his phone.

The picture of Orihime and him sleeping on her couch was what he expected to see first, but to his surprise Rukia had been taking pictures of them before then. There was one of him and her walking to gym, side by side right after his body changed. Another of them laughing and goofing around at the concert. The next was of him carrying her; he was surprised she even wanted to take it with how badly she seemed to have trusted him then.

The pictures went on, showing small moments and less subtle ones –like their holding hands on the way home, him helping her wipe cake off of her face with a damp towel as they continued to laugh at one another, and the two of them sleeping on the couch together. Ichigo's brows furrowed as he flicked through them all again, taking time to study each and every one of them. Ichigo held his head in his hands for a moment, thinking on how weird and foreign Rukia's ideas of him and Orihime seemed. At the same time the photographic evidence was astounding.

Ichigo scolded himself for nearly falling for Rukia's fairytale ideas. If she knew the truth, then she would realize why he stuck so close to Orihime. She was walking down the same blood soaked path as him, and he wanted to protect her. He wanted to make sure that she would never die. He wanted to forget the feeling of Zangetsu piercing her chest. He wanted to forget how it felt to feel her heartbeat stop as he pushed down on her wound. He wanted to protect her, that's why he stuck to her like glue.

Rukia didn't know the whole story. She was taking events out of context and twisting them into some strange whirlwind romance. Ichigo didn't have romantic feelings for Orihime. He wasn't here for love, he was here to fight and get back what he lost. Even if he did, he had to leave soon anyway. Once Masaki and Isshin had their son's body, Orihime would think it was him. They would never see each other again, and it would only end in heart ache. So no, he didn't have feelings for her. He couldn't, end of story.

Again Ichigo looked down at his phone, this time his fingers working on their own accord. With a few clicks, Ichigo cleared his screen and stared at his new wallpaper. Rukia was a good photographer, and a bad artist. The picture she had taken not a half hour ago almost seemed award winning to him.

It was of simply his and Orihime's hands, their fingers laced with one another. It was taken shortly after he realized that her hand was still clutching his. During the funeral he had been aware, but when they got up to leave, her hand had been in his for so long he hadn't noticed it. He had though, when they were closer to her apartment. Orihime's hand moved, so that their fingers were intertwined. Like an idiot he had to look down and say something about how she had been holding his hand in a death grip for so long the feeling must have suddenly just come back to it. She quickly let go of his hand, apologized and left him feeling like an asshole.

Ichigo closed his phone and stuffed it into his pocket. It was a good picture; he'd say that if it had been anyone's hands. That's why he changed it into his wallpaper, nothing else. Plus, the picture was by far better than the default image of Kisuke's shop logo.

His hollow scoffed and Ichigo glared.

"You're so stupid king."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

The hollow closed his eyes again, and smiled. "It means you missed again, King. And this time, it ain't got nothing to do with Ceros."

"That's not cryptic at all." Ichigo sarcastically replied, getting up and stretching his tired bones. "Why don't you ever just come out and say things plainly?"

"Cause I have way too much faith in your intelligence." The hollow smiled, opening an eye and peaking at the glaring Zangetsu.

"What?" He asked in a voice Ichigo couldn't hear. "I'm helping us all out." Zangetsu didn't reply, but the look on his face told the hollow the sword didn't agree.

"You're the same person as me. How could you be any smarter?" Ichigo jabbed, hoping to put an end to his hollow's insults.

"Instinct beats rock, I-chi-go, I'm closer to the problem than you. You're too stupid to see any of it."

"Then tell me."

"Where's the fun in that?" The hollow laughed. Just as Ichigo's anger reached its limit and he was about to dive into his inner world and beat the answers out of his hollow. A roar ripped through the air. Ichigo turned, already feeling where the hollow was coming from.

"Some other time, eh, King?"

Ichigo didn't say a word as he brought his hand across his face, just a little harder than needed, pulling his mask on.

The hollow hesitated in the air as it pulled itself out of the Garganta. It could feel the area saturated with a strong reiatsu. But it wasn't the normal reiatsu of a soul, or with the sweet smell of Shinigami accompanying it. This was harsh and dark, the reiatsu of another hollow, and a pissed off one at that. Another hollow far stronger than it. The creature of instinct knew it best to simply leave; its hunger was not worth the tremendous risk staying imposed. Just as it turned to leave, a Cero ripped through the air, taking off its head and leaving the rest of its body to fall to the ground.

Ichigo didn't remove his mask after the hollow fell. What would be the point tonight? He was going to get his Cero under control. And besides, as much as he hated to think on it, he had learned something from his hollow. A good fight was a great way to relieve anger and stress.

-0-

Uryu made his way silently through the hallways of his house. It wouldn't do to alert his father to his presence given where he had just been. Despite his father's attempts to keep his son from living up to his Quincy heritage, the man had kept many relics and items of their lineage. They were sorted and hidden according to power and importance. The locations of the more powerful artifacts and items still eluded the young Quincy, but for his purposes at the moment, he had just come from getting what he needed.

"Stealing from your parent is never a good sign." A cold voice sounded from a doorway to his left.

Uryu turned and regarded Ishida Ryuuken with dismissive eyes, with a dash of contempt thrown in for good measure. For as long as the boy could remember, he and Ryuuken had always been at odds over their Quincy heritage, the argument eventually boiling over into the other parts of their lives.

"I'm simply taking what belongs to a true Quincy." Uryu pushed up his glasses, "Something that should have been given to me when Sensei was killed."

"My father was a fool."

"Sensei was no such thing!" Uryu yelled back at his father, but then quickly flinched at his reaction. Ryuuken had gotten a reaction from him. Damn it, how could he fall for such a cheap trick?

"I had those rooms hidden for a reason. Specifically, so you would stay out of them." Ryuuken stood from his position of leaning against the doorframe. Uryu could see the triumphant look in his father's eyes even though it didn't reach the rest of his emotionless face. Mentally Ryuuken scoffed. His son was still just a boy, trapped in his twisted views of what the worlds were truly like.

"These items weren't meant to sit in a room, collecting dust, because a man refuses to acknowledge his bloodline." Uryu turned his back to his father, "They were meant to be used."

"You're getting yourself in over your head. Why do you insist on inserting yourself in the world of the afterlife?"

Uryu huffed in response, and walked away. He had his reasons, reasons he wouldn't waste on his father. He quickly told himself to rein his anger in, his hand close to prematurely breaking the Bait in his palm.

Ryuuken let out a sigh as his son walked away, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a pack of cigarettes. He slid one out and caught it between his lips, placing the pack away before reaching into his other pocket for a lighter. He knew his son was about to challenge the Shinigami girl, Inoue Orihime. Why his son refused to see reason when it came to Shinigami, he had no idea. The girl had done nothing to his son personally, and yet Uryu seemed to be going after her with a passion and fury.

Regardless, his son would eventually learn his lesson. Ryuuken knew enough to stay far enough away so that Uryu wouldn't know he was watching, but close enough to keep his son from making any irreversible mistakes. All he had to do was sit back and keep an eye on things. He had faith the Inoue girl could get Uryu to see reason in the upcoming challenge.

Looking off to the moon Ryuuken's eyes narrowed. He wasn't concerned about the kindly Inoue girl. It was Kurosaki he was worried about. He knew how much the orange haired ruffian resembled his father. If Uryu went through with the challenge, the son of Kurosaki Isshin would fight. And he would come for blood.

-0-

Ichigo groaned loudly at the sound of the alarm going off, increasing his annoyance with every loud beep. His hand formed a fist and slammed down on the top of the clock. He had no idea if he hit the right button or not, all he cared about was that he got the damn thing to shut up. With another groan he pulled himself up and out of bed. He'd stayed out too late last night, but he'd finally figured out how to properly shoot a Cero. Even with Ichigo's near infinite supply of reiatsu the task took a lot out of him.

When Ichigo got home he did a quick check on the girls to make sure they were sleeping soundly. The second he opened their door to take a small peek inside, he felt Orihime's pressure seeping through the small crack. It felt strange to him. It hit him like a brick wall, almost like it was in constant motion even after it was well away from the sleeping girl. Ichigo narrowed his eyes, not liking the intensity. He could only figure it was the tension and guilt of Hayate's death flowing out. Orihime hadn't shed a single tear. She was probably not used to hiding her feelings. When she was alone, she probably came home and cried, when no one was around to worry about her. Now with Rukia and himself staying here, she kept it in.

Ichigo slammed his palm to his forehead. There was no way he was this tired. His mind went back to that feeling. The second he closed the girls' door, he felt ready to pass out. Only when he was a beginner had reiatsu affected him like that. And that was Kenpachi. There was no way Orihime had gotten that strong, or did the Cero training really wear him out so much? Probably. After all, he had successfully hit four hollows in the head consecutively, which was better than he thought possible after such a long break in his training.

So it was with a slight sense of triumph, Ichigo shuffled his way to the kitchen. Orihime was already there, just finishing up breakfast as he drowsily stumbled his way in. That was another thing he came to realize about her, the morning after any bad event, she tended to make a big breakfast for herself and anyone around. She did the same thing the day he moved in, the day he was kicked out of school, the day she got a C on a History test…When he walked in, she took one look at him before going into her usual worry mode.

"Kurosaki-kun? You look dead. Are you sure you don't want to sleep-in today?" she asked, already preparing a plate for him.

"I'll be fine Inoue, I just need some coffee." Ichigo made his way over to the counter, reaching out and pouring himself a cup of the glorious black liquid.

Apparently he and Orihime had come to the same conclusion about coffee. Two weeks into his first time on hollow patrol; back in his own dimension, he'd learned to love the drink as a lifeline. The second he saw the small machine on her kitchen counter, he knew she'd developed a taste for it as well. Although he marveled at her skill, every time he got a cup, it was always warm, without being too hot. It was why he was able to quickly down the cup and get a second as she set his plate on the table.

Ichigo went to his seat, wanting to get it down quickly to replenish some strength he wasted last night. Orihime walked straight towards him. Ichigo moved to the right, and then the left. No matter what direction he went, she followed in an awkward tango. With a frustrated, flustered sigh, Ichigo bit down on the edge of his coffee cup, so it was stable in his mouth and picked Orihime up by her hips. He turned so they switched placed. Orihime blushed, the places his hands had just been burned through her cotton pajamas. Ichigo just put his cup back in his hand before his teeth started to hurt and flopped down in his chair like nothing happened.

She didn't know whether to feel good that Ichigo was so comfortable around her, or upset that he didn't seem to care about how close they were seconds ago or even that he had touched her hips. A place she now couldn't help up feel had to be an inappropriate place, what with how good his hands being there felt.

"That smells good Orihime." Rukia said, walking into the room with her uniform already on. Orihime smiled then left to get her own uniform on, wanting to get rid of her blush as well.

The second after Rukia took a seat, Ichigo felt her foot connect painfully with his shin. He dropped the bit of rice he had picked up with a sharp cry of pain. He glared over at the short Shinigami.

"That's for last night." She growled out.

Before Ichigo could let out the string of insults he had thought up, Tatsuki walked through the door. He let out a sigh as she took a seat at the table, grabbing his food away before starting in on it herself. It's what she did most mornings when Orihime wasn't around. Ichigo growled as he got up to get himself some more food. He was up against two females that had his imminent discomfort on their minds. His only saving grace was Orihime, who walked back in a few minutes later.

"Kurosaki-kun, are you going for seconds already?" Orihime asked as she tucked her last hairpin into her hair. Ichigo couldn't help but notice that she styled her hair the same way as the Orihime he'd lost always had today. With the bangs parted to the side. Ichigo gave her a sad smile without realizing it. She looked really mature today, almost like she was really ready to take on the world.

"Tatsuki stole mine." He mumbled hating how he sounded like a child as he placed a spoonful of rice on his plate.

"Tatsuki-chan!" Orihime whined, putting her hand on her hips.

"It's fine, Inoue. You made enough." Ichigo mumbled picking up rice with his fingers and dropping it in his mouth.

"Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime gasped, Ichigo just gave Orihime a raise brow, not understanding her shock.

"What?"

"Is that how you eat at your house Ichigo?" Tatsuki butted in, chopsticks dangling from her mouth. "No wonder your parents kicked you out."

Rukia was quick to draw Tatsuki's attention away from Ichigo by spilling her water on the table. Tatsuki instantly stood to avoid getting water on her skirt and the two black haired girls went to work trying to contain the spill. Orihime looked to the table for a second then back at Ichigo. He was leaning against the counter with his hands. His head bowed.

"Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime whispered, hesitantly putting her hand on his stiff back.

Ichigo stood instantly and turned to face her. Orihime frowned at his fake smile.

"I'm okay." He simply said. He flinched back when she pinched his arm with an angry pout on her face.

"No smiling unless you mean it."

"And who says I didn't want to smile?" Ichigo mumbled crossing his arms, trying to contain his shock. Orihime was becoming bolder with him living with her it seemed. Bold enough to call his bluff and pinch him.

"It was fake." She put her hands to her hips again and Ichigo couldn't help but chuckle at her. Was she trying to intimidate him? It was so funny and cute to see, Ichigo couldn't help but smile wide.

"That's much better." She smiled back, not knowing why he was smiling, and barely caring. She was just glad to see a real smile.

"You are the only person in the world who could threaten someone into happiness Inoue."

"That's not nice!" she whined, dropping her hands to her sides.

"See what I mean?" Rukia whispered to Tatsuki.

Tatsuki leaned back in her chair; the mess all cleaned up, and just watched as Ichigo poked his finger teasingly into Orihime's forehead. The two light haired teens seemed lost in their own world. Ichigo's smile was wide and Tatsuki wondered if Ichigo even noticed how happy he seemed to be just by being in her presence. He was smiling, a completely different smile than she had grown up with him wearing. It seemed better, nicer, more Ichigo. The admiration and love in Orihime's eyes was unmistakable. As much as it upset Tatsuki to lose Orihime and let the auburn haired girl put herself out there to get hurt, she couldn't deny that they were in love. If only Ichigo would notice.

"Oi, Ichigo." Tatsuki piped up, and tapped her bare wrist.

It was time to walk to school.

The walk was like usual. Ichigo and Orihime walking in the front, Tatsuki and Rukia hanging back to chat behind them. Thankfully Ichigo and Orihime had found things to talk about, even if it was a little depressing to ask what he was missing in school. He wasn't missing too much, lessons he'd already done before. It was his friends he missed, spending time with Chad, Mizuiro, and surprisingly enough, he even missed Keigo. Orihime was very informative of the things he missed. Today Orihime seemed too excited about the upcoming summer festival to concentrate on the subject of school.

"Rukia said she wanted to go too. She's never been to festival can you believe that?"

"Yeah I can." Ichigo mumbled hoping Orihime wouldn't catch that he knew more than he should have.

"I think I might buy a kimono..." She thought aloud pushing her finger in her chin as she pouted in thought.

"Isn't that a little expensive?" Ichigo asked worried that Orihime had too much financial strain, what with having to house two shinigami.

"Nope, every year my aunt gives me money to buy one. I usually just save it. This year though I think I'll actually get one."

As much as Ichigo wanted to smile at Orihime's excited antics as she skipped around him like a little kid in a candy store begging her parent's for a treat, he couldn't shake off this uncomfortable feeling building up inside him. He tried to brush it off, but it just wouldn't leave. He pushed it to the back of his mind as they reached the gates to the school. As usual, the second the group arrived at the front gate of Karakura high school, people started staring and talking quietly, pointing to Ichigo and Orihime. Ichigo looked around, glaring at them all, while Orihime just tried to ignore them, a lovely smile on her face. Just as he was about to turn back to Orihime, he caught Uryu out of the corner of his eye.

The Quincy was standing separate from the other watchers, though his glare for the three Shinigami was apparent. The uncomfortable feeling increased and Ichigo felt a sudden urge to go over and punch the damn boy. He had to be mistaken; he'd made it clear to Uryu that he was to leave Orihime alone. Uryu was cocky, a douche bag and he would threaten Orihime as many times as he felt he needed to get a rise out of Ichigo, but he was also chivalrous. There was no way he'd actually attack her or try to challenge her like he had Ichigo.

Right?

"Kurosaki-kun?"

Ichigo looked down to see Orihime staring off in the same direction, catching the last of Uryu's glare before he turned and walked away.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, her worried tone wiping the scowl off Ichigo's face.

"Yeah, it's fine Inoue." He turned and gave her a nod of reassurance, teasingly he flicked the tip of Orihime's nose, but knew the action felt and looked forced, "I'll be here after school." He turned and left.

If he had bothered to turn around before he turned the corner, he would have seen Orihime turn to give the spot Uryu had left a hard look. She didn't know what was going on, but she had decided to protect Ichigo. Whatever Ishida-kun was trying to do, he'd have to go through her first to get to Ichigo.

-0-

Ichigo took the time on his walk home to mull over his thoughts. Something he found himself doing quite often these days. It was weird; he'd never used to think so much about anything. But things were getting serious, quickly. He took out his phone to check the countdown to when Soul Society, when Aizen, would make their move. He still had some time. The next thing he'd have to deal with would be Don Kannonji's show, and Orihime could handle that little fiasco herself. Then would come Uryu's challenge, not that he'd let the Quincy challenge her.

He let out a sigh as his thoughts turned back to Soul Society. It'd be best to go in with a plan this time around. He guessed Orihime would follow the same path he took, starting with Ikkaku and ending with Byakuya. He'd have to stick close, she could probably come out alive, but the thought of letting her fight Kenpachi, it made him sick. That was one fight he would not let her go through.

"Hurry up Karin! We're going to be late."

Ichigo stopped mid-step and his eyes widened. Right down the street, heading right for him, was a familiar bit of blonde hair. A second later, Karin caught up with Yuzu, both heading on their way to school. He looked around, cursing that he let himself wonder onto the path they usually took to school. Both girls were distracted, and hadn't seen him yet, and with a quick look, Ichigo threw himself into a side alley, hiding behind a large dumpster.

He held his breath as his sisters passed by. One look told him everything he needed to know. Just like Masaki, the two had lost the bounce in their step. Ichigo felt his heart fall, and wanted nothing more than to step out and show himself. Masaki wanted to keep them away from Soul Society; she wouldn't have told them the truth, so they had to think he was still alive, just missing. God, what he'd give to hold his sisters just one more time.

After they passed, he took a chance and stepped out. Their backs were too him, the two talking quietly as they made their way to school. He didn't know whether to curse or thank fate that Karin turned her head, just enough to catch him out of the corner of her eye. She froze and turned, staring at him with wide eyes. Yuzu stopped and turned to ask her sister what was wrong, and her own eyes opened wide at the sight of Ichigo.

"Ichi-nii." Karin whispered to herself. She blinked once, and he was still standing there. She wasn't seeing things, "Ichi-nii!" she yelled out, running back towards her brother.

Like so many times before in this dimension, Ichigo's body froze and fought his demands to move and hide so that his sisters wouldn't have to see him. So he wouldn't hurt them more than they all ready were. Right before Karin crushed into him Ichigo knelt down and wrapped his arms around her, just as her own arms wrapped around his neck. Yuzu was next, ramming into his side so tight he was shocked he was able to pry his arm out from under her strong grip to wrap her up in his arms as well.

"God I shouldn't be doing this." He groaned as he savored his sister's embracing, knowing it would be the last time he saw them. Christ he was a horrible brother. He had left and hadn't said goodbye. He had been so distant when he had seen them last, and now he would have to leave them again.

Karin pulled back, but kept her hands on his shoulders, not wanting to let go of Ichigo. Afraid he would become an illusion.

"Ichi-nii." Karin said staying strong like he knew she always would be. "You need to come home; you need to make up with mom and dad."

"...I can't Karin." The worlds left his mouth before he could stop them. Yuzu tensed at his side and his gut twisted.

"Please!" He could hear the tears in Yuzu's voice as she squeezed him tighter. He had to grit his teeth to keep himself from picking her up and taking her to Orihime's apartment with him, where he could keep her close and protect her from her tears and where he could see her, and save himself from the nightmares he had of her and Karin's deaths. "We need you home. You're our brother, we love you."

"I'm sorry." Ichigo closed his eyes, trying to block out the images of his sisters sad faces. "I can't go home. I've done something, something I can't take back. You just have to be strong. It's for the best if you never see me again." Ichigo pulled away from his sisters. He kissed Yuzu's forehead, feeling his throat tighten, and squeezed Karin's hand as he pulled it away from clutching his shirt.

Their brother's words left the twins motionless. They were powerless to stop him from pulling away from them and walking into the shadows of the alley, until he disappeared into the darkness of the shadow. He heard Yuzu burst into tears, and what sounded like her knees hitting the pavement. He knew Karin would stay strong, she always had been.

"Ichi-nii." There was a quiver in Karin's voice, and Ichigo knew this was hurting her just as much. She ran into the alley, to where her brother had disappeared, but saw nothing except graffiti and trash bags. It was as if her worst fear was true. Ichigo was an illusion, a mirage.

"Just ...Take care of each other." Karin heard, not knowing where it was coming from. It felt like his voice was in her chest and speaking into her soul. "I love you both too."

Ichigo waited until his sister's were gone before he climbed down from the fire escape. God, how he wanted this all to end.

-0-

As the bell rang announcing the end of classes, Orihime was one of the first to pack up her things and leave the room. Rukia let out a small curse as she quickly followed, curious as to what had Orihime moving so quickly. Her question was answered when they came to stop in front of a club room. From what she had been told, she remembered it being the Handicrafts Club room.

Orihime threw open the door and peaked her head inside, scanning for a certain four eyed student. He wasn't there, which in itself was weird. Ishida was always there first, it was his job as club president. Though she hadn't showed up in the last week since Ichigo moved in, she knew that fact couldn't have changed.

"Orihime?" Rukia asked, peaking in her head as well. Orihime stood straight and crossed her arms over her chest. "What's this all about?"

"Ishida-kun's not here..." Orihime mumbled and bit her bottom lip.

"This is a surprise." The two girls turned to find Ishida Uryu looking at them, his arms also crossed, "Two Shinigami, probably come to confront me."

"I-Ishida-kun?" Orihime gasped.

"You ...You know we're Shinigami?" Rukia asked in shock.

"Yes, I know you're Shinigami." Uryu turned his condescending gaze from Rukia to Orihime, "I know you gave your powers to Inoue-san sometime in May, and that there's been another Shinigami running around with the two of you."

"How do you know all of that Ishida-kun?" Orihime asked, taking a step forward.

"You make it fairly obvious. You let your reiatsu leak out the way you do."

"My what?" Orihime asked, taking another step, trying not to appear threatening, "Who are you?"

"I am Ishida Uryu, the last Quincy." He pushed his glasses up, and walked away.

"W-wait!" Rukia called out, running after the boy as he headed down the stairs, "I have questions for you."

"And I have no inclination to answer them." The Quincy boy said disappearing down the stairs as Rukia stood in shock.

"I don't understand..." Orihime leaned against the wall next to the club's classroom. "Ishida-kun has always been so nice to me. Why is he being so cold now?"

Orihime looked up at Rukia whose eyes were still watching the stairwell.

"Orihime why don't you go home before Ichigo starts to worry? I have an errand I have to run." The short girl said. She didn't wait for Orihime to reply before she took off, quickly following in the Quincy's footsteps.

Rukia made her way out of the school building, double checking to make sure Orihime hadn't followed her. Not that she believed Orihime would do such a thing, but caution was always best. Once a safe distance away she slowed her walking, taking a much leisurely pace. It was a quick walk, it wasn't that far from the school, and Rukia quickly found herself in the Mitsumiya district, walking into a back lot to an inconspicuous candy store.

"Kuchiki-san." Urahara greeted brightly as she walked in, her arms crossed, "What can I do for you today?"

"What are Quincys?" Rukia asked, getting straight to the point.

"Quincy?" Urahara opened his fan to cover not his smile but his contemplative frown. "That's a term I haven't heard in quite a few decades."

Rukia searched his eyes and found the answer she was looking for. Her eyes glared and she fought to restrain herself from acting out physically against the ex-captain.

"You're a horrible liar Urahara."

"Sit down, Kuchiki-san, and let me explain."

-0-

Run.

Keep running. Keep moving forward.

He had to make himself move. Faster. Faster!

Ichigo didn't stop to look down at the dead Vizards as he darted past, heading right for the gate Aizen had created to escape to Soul Society. He couldn't stop, if he did, he wouldn't be able to move again. Uryu, Chad, Rukia, Renji, Nelliel, they'd all already been killed in the battle. Orihime was slowly bleeding on the ground behind him. She told him to go and finish the fight, now, while Aizen was injured. He had to end it quickly so he could get back to her, to help her live.

He ignored the cries of his allies as he barreled through the gate, passing through the dark corridor quickly before coming out in the exact same in the real Karakura.

Ichigo could feel his hollow within him. It was like the beast was just under his skin, moving with him, and yet at the same time against him. He could feel its strength flowing through him, spurring him on, urging him on to fulfill the words repeating again and again in his mind.

'Kill Aizen. Kill Aizen. Kill Aizen.'

He looked around the quiet town, desperate to find the man responsible for so many deaths. He smelled something, something strong, and looked down where he could tell it was coming from. Blood. Small splatters of it, leading away from the gate. Blood from the wound Orihime had been stabbed to cause. With a renewed anger, Ichigo followed the blood.

If he hadn't been so focused on Aizen, he would have known the path he was followed led down a very familiar street. But he didn't care, he just wanted to kill.

But once he rounded the corner, he couldn't move. How could he? There was Aizen, his jump suite ripped like the cocoon it had been, his brown hair long, and his eyes mirrors of his hollow's. But what kept Ichigo from moving was the horrifying site. With one foot, Aizen kept Karin pinned to the ground, even as the girl struggled and pushed to stand up, and held Yuzu by her neck in the air, the twin struggling to break free and breath.

"Kurosaki Ichigo." Aizen said, his voice sending a shiver down Ichigo's spine, "It's about time you arrived, I was becoming impatient."

"Let them go Aizen." Ichigo said, his eyes not leaving his sisters.

"Ichi... nii." Yuzu gasped out, her eyes opening a fraction to take in the sight of her brother. The words made Karin look up as well, hope filling her eyes. The two girls let out cries of pain as Aizen tightened his grip on Yuzu's neck, and pushed down harder and Karin.

"Stop it!" Ichigo yelled, looking desperately at his sisters.

"Does it hurt, Kurosaki Ichigo?" Aizen asked, "To see that I have your family within my grip, at my mercy?"

"I said let them go!" Ichigo roared, speeding over the distance to get his sisters from Aizen's grasp. Just before his blade reached the former Shinigami, his sister was thrust in his way. Ichigo just barely stopped his blade, coming centimeters from her skin. Before he had time to react, he felt Aizen's blade cut across his front, and he was sent flying back.

"I was speaking Kurosaki. It's rude to interrupt." Aizen condescended, looking at Yuzu, "You need to learn your manners."

It all happened in slow motion. Aizen released his hand, letting the little blond fall to the ground. She took a deep breath, her throat free and unrestricted.

It was the last she ever took.

The next second, Aizen's blade came down. Slowly, painfully slowly. Ichigo couldn't move. All he could do was watch as Yuzu's eyes opened wide as Kyouka Suigetsu pierced her heart.

Ichigo clawed at consciousness like an animal in a cage. He could hear Karin scream her twins name and see the horror and blood coat their faces. And then there was only darkness, as his mind caught up with the present, the sudden rush from sleep into consciousness left him dizzy and frazzled, but it promptly passed. He was left feeling like he was in a vice, like the blade had been through his heart instead of the little innocent blonde who could only see spirits as a blur. A sweet little girl whose only offense in life was being unlucky enough to be his sister.

Ichigo shot up from his futon, his breathing heavy. Cold sweat rolled down his face, he reached a shaking hand to wipe it off. Somehow he knew. He just knew that after what happened yesterday, he'd have that nightmare. He would watch them die again, unable to do anything to stop it. His only power was to wake up, but even then the pain replayed in his mind, never stopping. He quickly brought his other hand up to his forehead, hiding his eyes as he felt moisture from behind his eyelids.

"Ichigo?"

The young vizard turned away quickly, hiding his face from Rukia.

"What the hell are you doing Rukia? Knock first." He spat out, his voice lacking any bite. But Rukia could hear the quiver in it.

"It's your reiatsu." She replied, crossing her arms in worry, "It's fluctuating pretty badly. Orihime's still asleep though."

Ichigo swallowed the lump in his throat, knowing that if Rukia, weak in her gigai, could feel his reiatsu he really was letting it get out of control.

"Alright, I'll try to rein it in." He waited for the sound of her footsteps leaving and the door closing.

Instead she spoke again, "Is something wrong?"

"N-nothing." Ichigo quickly supplied. God, why didn't she leave, he just wanted to be alone for right now, "Just a... just some damned dream."

Suddenly, it all made sense to Rukia. His refusal to turn and look at her, his drastic reiatsu, and the emotion in his voice. She recognized the look of the sweat covering his face and sheets. It was more than just a dream. It was a dream that caged you in and haunted you even after you woke up. It was a memory you could never escape. The signs were all there; Ichigo was still trapped.

"Hmm." Rukia hummed and nodded in understanding, turning to leave, "I've had those nightmares too." She said before the door closed.

The moment the door closed, Ichigo brought his knees up. He balanced his arm on his knee and held his head. He felt so drained, and he hadn't even done a single thing. He never did. He let them die. Watched it happen and stood frozen to help them.

A single tear made its way down Ichigo's face as he sat shaking, the nightmare still fresh in his mind, making him to afraid to go back to sleep. He knew it was waiting for him; for when he closed his eyes.

-0-

The night was calm and breezy as a doorway opened in the sky above Karakura-cho. It wasn't the usual rip of a Garganta to allow a hollow through; this was a perfectly square gateway. Though the inside of it was darker than the night sky, it was clear for those who could see to make out a tiny form running from the inside before making the final leap out. The gateway quickly shut itself behind the dark blur.

The figure that had jumped from the gateway landed gracefully on the top of a building, not so much as a scratch on it from the distance it had fallen. It took a moment to look around the area, savoring the peace and serenity of Karakura before it started moving on, its destination in mind.

Before long it had come to a homely alley, finding a small empty lot with a rundown looking candy shop set up. Other people would have simply had to turn around and wait until the shop was open, but not this one. Using skills honed years and years ago, the figure snuck into the shop through a window left opened, and made its way through the dark interior of the shop.

It came to stop at a doorway in the far back. It took a little effort, but it opened the door just enough to let itself through, and made its way over to the futon set in the middle of the room. The fact that there was already someone sleeping in it didn't dissuade the figure from quietly slipping in under the covers. And with barely a sound, the small lump it formed under the covers quickly grew.

When it poked its head out at the head of the futon, Shihoin Yoruichi was back in her human form. She laid her head down on the pillow, letting the exhaustion from accomplishing her mission finally take over and lull her to sleep. She let a small smile come to her face at the surprise Kisuke would have the next morning. The smile widened slightly when said shop keeper turned around and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and against his naked chest.

"Welcome home Yoruichi." He mumbled tiredly.

-0-

Breakfast was quiet and awkward. No matter what Ichigo did, he couldn't get his nightmare out of his mind. Orihime could tell something was wrong with him. He only stared at the plate of food in front of him, mechanically eating, but not tasting. His eyes were tired and the bags under them were impossible not to notice. Rukia was at a loss, every few seconds the auburn girl would look over at Ichigo, her mouth opening to say something before she closed it and looked back down at the table. What could either of them say if Ichigo wasn't saying anything at all?

With nothing to pass the time, Rukia settled for sending Tatsuki a message to meet them on their way to school, they were going to head out early. It was still quiet as the trio moved outside, Orihime staying close and looking at Ichigo with worry.

"Wait!" Rukia spoke suddenly, standing in front of Ichigo before he locked the door, "I forgot something, I'll be quick." the petite girl rushed back inside, giving Orihime a meaningful look before disappearing back into the apartment.

Ichigo backed up to lean against the railing as the two substitute Shinigami waited for Rukia. Orihime merely stood beside him, watching as he just stared off into space, not noticing anything. This wasn't right, this wasn't Ichigo.

"Kurosaki-kun." She said suddenly, gathering up her courage as he looked over at her, "...What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong Inoue." He replied blankly, going back to staring into space.

"Please don't lie to me." She whispered, but still loud enough for him to hear. He turned to look back at her, watching as she looked down at the ground, "I know something's wrong Kurosaki-kun. How can I protect you if you won't let me know what's wrong?"

"Inoue..." Ichigo started, but he had no idea what to say. She wanted to protect him, and the only reason she felt that way was because he was doing a lousy job of protecting her from his troubles. But he didn't think he could just hide this away. It was too much.

"Protect people not only physically but mentally and emotionally, right? You said that to me! But look at you! Did it take you only a year to forget your own words and become just another high school jackass?"

The words rang through Ichigo's being. Hayate had vilified him for being so different from the Ichigo he had replaced when he had first met him. Ichigo had been so obsessed with his own pain and with refusing to be like the wimp Ichigo had been, he had ignored the meaning. It was true that he felt the same way and he learned the same lesson when his mother died and he shut himself away from his family.

What kind of strong person made the people around them fell miserable? Those people were weak bastards and didn't deserve pity. Ichigo looked into Orihime's gray eyes and saw the same sadness he had seen in his sister's eyes when he saw them yesterday. He may have been there next to her, close enough to reach out and touch, but he wasn't. She knew it. It hurt her.

"I..." Ichigo took a deep breath, "I ran into Yuzu and Karin yesterday."

Orihime's eyes shot open. She knew he was avoiding his family, not wanting to run into them and hurt them, or be hurt. The pain was evident in his monotonic voice.

"It was so damn selfish of me." Ichigo glared at the ground, "I should have just walked away. I should have left them. But I just stood there and let them see me. I held them, and they begged me to go back home. But I couldn't, and then I left them, I left Yuzu crying. I left Karin hurting."

Ichigo reached up and roughly pulled on his hair. Orihime held in her own tears, and couldn't bear to watch him bare out his soul to her. She had done this by asking, and now seeing his pain she wasn't sure what to do. Ichigo was never one to open up. He always hid behind a smile, or now his glare and a few tough words. But deep down Ichigo was falling apart and it was her job to help put him to together before he was left as a pile of ashes.

"What kind of brother am I?"

"A good one!"

Orihime's suddenly loud voice surprised Ichigo, and he looked up to find her staring at him with that same look of determination she had used to get him to stay in her guest bedroom. Her eyes glowed a golden sunset color, and her reiatsu flowed off, strong and powerful, but still soothing and warm.

"Kurosaki-kun is a good brother. You deserved to be selfish yesterday. Kicking you out was one thing, but taking away Yuzu-chan and Karin-chan is another!"

Ichigo could only keep staring in shock. When had Orihime changed so much? She said she wanted to protect him, and here she was, succeeding. He could feel the determination flowing off her. Hell, he already felt better, and that warm feeling in his stomach was back in full force, pushing all guilt and dread into the recesses where they couldn't hurt him anymore. A feeling of contentment and ease filled him, making his stiff muscles relax. Shun Shun Rikka or not, why did Orihime have the power to dissolve his injuries and make him feel rejuvenated?

"Please don't hide things like this Kurosaki-kun." She said, her eyes starting to water, "I don't want you to be sad. You deserve to be happy too. You don't have to beat yourself up over everything. It's not all your fault, and you can't carry the burden on your-."

Before she could say anything more, Ichigo pulled her close. He couldn't find the words to say to tell her how much she had helped him with just those simple words. He knew she needed to hear them, and he needed to say them. But, he was never someone who was good at coming up with inspirational words or any words of thanks. He knew the words would never be enough, but he hoped the hug would show her what he couldn't with words.

"Thank you Inoue." He whispered into her hair.

"Of course, Kurosaki-kun." She smiled, a blush burning its way across her face.

"Oh my, I hate to interrupt, but we really need to be getting to school." Rukia sounded from the doorway, her Cheshire cat grin back in place.

"Ah!" Orihime took a step away from Ichigo, her face igniting, "I'm sorry Kurosaki-kun!"

"Don't apologize, Inoue." Ichigo smiled, "You didn't do anything wrong. Now c'mon, let's get you to school."

-0-

For the third time, Ichigo checked outside his room. He didn't know why he was so nervous, only Orihime and Rukia would be in the small apartment besides him, and they were both off at school. He closed the curtains to his room, dimming the light slightly so that the only source was coming from the light above his head. He placed the white dry erase board against his closet, sitting in front of the thing before he closed his eyes and focused.

When he opened them, he was greeted by the familiar sight of Zangetsu, and the less welcomed sight of his hollow and its crazed grin. He didn't really want to have the latter with him and his mind went over a million ways the hollow's presence could go wrong, but for what he was about to do, he needed all the help he could get. The usual view of an overturned buildings and bright clear sky wasn't around them; instead the two residents of Ichigo's inner world were sitting calmly in his room. It had been a long time since Ichigo materialized his zanpakuto spirit, after all it was easier to just go into his inner world, but the process was easy and flawless. A true testament to how much he had grown since learning bankai so long ago.

"Finally!" his hollow shouted, leaning back and spreading himself out on the floor, "It's about time you let us out of there King. I gotta say, I was startin' to feel cooped up."

"This isn't for fun." Ichigo growled, "You already know why I brought you two here."

Zangetsu nodded, "It's time to start making plans for our invasion of Soul Society."

"All work and no play." The hollow frowned. "I say we kill 'em all, end of planning."

Both Ichigo and Zangetsu glared. Ichigo's hollow scoffed and ignored their usual reaction to his violence. Suddenly he sat back up with a hint of mischief to his smile, "How about I have some fun here, eh? I'm sure Hime's room is full of fun little treasures that'll keep you and me busy for a while, King. She always struck me as a red lace kinda gal, but then again I can still see that strawberry beauty from the conc-."

Ichigo glared at his hollow, but before he could get up to strike his dark copy, Zangetsu reached out and slapped the back of his head. The hollow glared over at the zanpakuto. He made a move to rub the back of his head, but the other parts of his soul knew it was all for show. Such a simple tap was nothing to the dark instinct embodied.

"Don't see why you're so touchy, Old-man." The hollow growled, giving the zanpakuto a look that said he was about to wreak revenge. "I was just sayin' what the three of us have all thought, at one time or another..." The hollow's smile grew but his eyes narrowed at Zangetsu. "Never mind; you only think about her like that don't ya, Zan-y-boy?"

"Think about who, Zangetsu?" Ichigo moaned his, eyes narrow. Last thing he needed was his zanpakuto fawning over someone and getting distracted, or God forbid, filling his mind up with thoughts of that person like his hollow did with Orihime.

"It is nothing of importance. You should not listen to the hollow. He is causing problems out of boredom." Though Zangetsu was talking to Ichigo, he was looking into black and yellow eyes.

"I'll have to tell her ya' said that."

"Not if I simply kill you first, hollow." The hollow didn't even blink when the sword form of Zangetsu pressed up against his throat. Instead he smiled.

"Go ahead Zangetsu. We both know that can't hurt me."

"Yes, but the damage you will endure will make up for the lack of your complete demise." The blade came in closer, "Perhaps I'll remove an arm?"

Ichigo looked over at the clock and sighed, it was going to be a long few hours until he left to walk Orihime and Rukia home from school. As much as he wanted to just send his hollow back and end all of this ridiculousness right here and now, Ichigo needed all the input he could get, and his hollow had proven his battle prowess time and time again. He needed all of the information from the invasion, and as sad as it was to admit, he hadn't done much to pay attention to what the people around him were doing. He was too preoccupied with his battles, and that deadline of Rukia's execution that kept gnawing at him back then. He knew Zangetsu and his hollow had to have more information. So, the hollow would stay. God help him.

"Alright." Ichigo said loudly, drawing the other two resident's attentions back to him, "Where do we start?" Before the hollow could open his mouth to answer, Ichigo added, "With the timeline."

Again the white doppelganger sighed and lost his smile as he flopped down on the hard floor.

"All work. No play."

-0-

The school day went by regularly. Orihime couldn't help but feel a lot better that day. He'd opened up to her. Maybe not to a lot, but enough. She could protect him better now. She also couldn't deny the feelings of love that floated into her heart. She had hoped that Ichigo would grow closer to her and open up about his feelings about her that he had forgotten or, god-forbid, lost. She had been so worried that she had ignored his feelings for so long that Ichigo just gave up, but with the progress the two had made since he had moved in, she had new hope for a future. Or she was just love sick and her feelings were like goggles making her see the world differently than it really was. But who ever said being love sick was wrong, especially when it made you feel so warm.

The only thing that was wrong with her cheery day was how Uryu kept glaring her way throughout the day. At first she thought she was seeing things, but since he sat in front of her and one row over, it was easy to tell he was going out of his way to glower. She had, had a bad feeling since yesterday, when she and Rukia had confronted the "Quincy", and the feeling didn't seem to want to go away. It was hard to ignore the sense of anticipation waving off him, like he was itching to do something and the seconds weren't going fast enough. It put Orihime on edge, despite her good mood.

When the bell sounded to announce the break period before the last class of the day, Orihime carefully watched Uryu as he stood and made his way out the door. Orihime looked over and found Tatsuki talking with Rukia, neither of them noticing her as she slipped out and followed the Quincy. She barely caught sight of him as he rounded a corner leaded to the grounds outside. Forgetting stealth Orihime ran after him, ignoring the stares of people as she passed by. After a minute she caught up with Uryu as he stopped in the area behind the school, not another person in sight.

"I was worried you weren't going to be able to catch up with me." Uryu commented, not turning around to face her.

"You wanted me to follow you Ishida-kun?" Orihime asked hesitantly. It suddenly occurred to her that this might have been a trap. She took a step back and quickly ran her mind over all of the karate Tatsuki had taught her. If only she had actually used it in combat, even once.

"I had something to discuss with you without the presence of your handler around." Finally Uryu turned around; his stare condescending as he regarded the auburn Shinigami before him.

"Handler?"

"Kuchiki." Uryu clarified, "You seem incapable of doing anything without her around to instruct you or to command you."

"Rukia and I are friends. We fight together and help each other. That doesn't mean I'm any weaker without her, Ishida-kun." Orihime stated plainly straightening to her full height to show her courage and strength.

"Really?" Uryu pushed up his glasses, "Then you have no problem accepting my challenge?"

"Challenge?" Orihime questioned, her nerves suddenly put back on edge.

"Yes, a challenge. A fight between you and I to determine who is stronger, who has the right to protect this area from hollows."

'To show Kurosaki I am not afraid of him.' Uryu added on in his mind.

"I ... I don't want to hurt you Ishida-kun." There was almost a begging sound to Orihime's voice. "I know you are acting differently towards me now, but I have always thought of you as a friend. If we can both see Hollows, then we won't have to hide that part of our lives from one another. We shouldn't ruin that by hurting each other."

The words made Uryu raise a brow. Before, Ichigo had been quick to cause Uryu harm when provoked enough. But Orihime, she seemed so hesitant at the idea, and even offered a hand of friendship. Inoue Orihime wasn't a true Shinigami, his mind quickly reminded him. She had nothing to do with Sensei's' death or betrayal. But, no, a friendship could never be. A true blood Shinigami or not, she was associated with Shinigami, she was undoubtedly in love with Kurosaki, whom was not only a shinigami but an enemy that had defeated him time and again. Orihime was an enemy, but not one to be harmed...

"I think you misunderstand. It may be in a Shinigami's nature to attack woman, but the Quincy's have more pride than that. It would be unfair to you to challenge you to a one on one fight."

"Why? Other than my refusal to hurt you?"

"Woman, such as you, Inoue-san, would never be able to match blows with me."

Orihime's eyes narrowed and her presence was noticeably more confident.

"You mean to say that because I'm a woman, it would be too easy for you to fight me, so you refuse to challenge me in such a way."

"Although I would have phrased it differently Inoue-san, yes. It would be ridiculous for me to challenge you in combat. It is a lowly man who fights a woman."

"Then I'm afraid you are both ridiculous and lowly, Ishida-kun."

Ishida blinked at Orihime's strong words. She had turned his words against him and even seemed to actually want to physically fight him now. Though in a tall noble stance it was easy to see she was holding back. It was strange to see her in this way. The Inoue he had known from handicrafts clubs was ditsy and sweet. She would never raise her voice or hurt a fly. Ishida blamed the change on Kurosaki, not only was he undoubtedly somehow responsible for her becoming a shinigami, but he had also turned her violent.

"Inoue-san."

"I accept."

"Oh?"

"Your challenge, whatever it is I except, and when it's over you'll get over you need to hate me and you'll be forced to acknowledge that I am just as capable as you. I am no damsel waiting to be saved Ishida-kun."

Despite his best attempts Uryu smiled. "Very well Inoue-san." Uryu reached into his pocket and pulled out the hollow bait he had stolen from his father nights before. "This will be a contest between us. You'd best enter your Shinigami form."

Orihime hesitated for a moment before nodding. The night before, when Rukia returned home, she had ejected Rikka from her plushy body and gave the pill to Orihime, telling her to keep it with her in case she needed it. So she carefully pulled the mod soul from her pocket. A brief moment after swallowing it Orihime split from her body, Rikka stumbling forward from the sudden movement and turning to face her.

"Orihime-nee-chan." She said in a worried tone, looking back to Uryu, who raised an eyebrow at the mod soul, before turning back to face Orihime. She held her tongue and didn't tell her Orihime-nee-chan that she had to leave to find Ichigo. Rikka had been present when Ishida threatened Orihime, and she knew Ichigo wasn't going to like this turn of events at all.

"Rikka, I need you to take care of things while I'm gone." Orihime told her, "I want you to take Rukia and Kurosaki-kun home after school lets out. Take them right home. And promise me you won't tell anyone about what I'm doing."

"I..." Rikka looked back at Uryu, then down at the ground, "I promise Orihime-nee-chan."

"Thank you." Orihime gave the mod soul a smile as she left to go back to the high school, looking back one more time before disappearing around the corner of the building.

"Very well," Uryu held up the small cylinder of bait so his opponent could see it as well as he could. "Now I'll explain the rules of this contest."

End