A/N: Happy Thanksgiving to all the American readers! =) Thanks for still reading and being so patient and kind!

Sounds of anguished grunts and things breaking could be heard at the entry to the Fifth Division. After saying goodbye to Ukitake, Orihime hurried toward the metallic scent of blood. It wasn't long before she arrived at their training arena. Grimmjow was panting on the ground, pools of deep red liquid surrounding him. Alarmed, the healer gasped and she darted forward, calling forth her fairies at the same time.

"No, Onna," was the stubborn and resistant reply.

"Let me heal you. You can't fight in this condition!" She dropped to her knees, examining his wounds with concern etched into her pretty features.

"Orihime-chan, please listen to him. We've been at it all morning and we're not getting anywhere. It's like he's lost his hollow somehow. If you heal him now, I'm afraid we're going to start from square one again." Shinji covered his eyes with one hand, sighing heavily.

"You said that you would go easy on him!" She hadn't meant to sound angry, but her tone certainly showed her disapproval.

Shinji gave her a hurt look, and feigned innocence. He shrugged, chuckling a little.

"I've tried every-" Suddenly stopping midsentence, a wide devious smile spread across his face, and instead of finishing, he sent a beam of white energy in her direction.

"Hirako-taichou!"

Albeit unprepared, Orihime was still able to cast a shield just in time. However, the attack never reached her. To her surprise, it was deflected by a feline-shaped hollow standing before her. Its tail swished angrily back and forth. Her eyes widened. There was no mistaking Grimmjow in his released form. Immense spiritual pressure radiated from him and his aura darkened immeasurably.

"Aha! Things are going to get more interesting now. Thanks, Orihime-chan, you've been a huge help. I suggest you come back later." The blond captain evaded a cero gracefully, while giving her a playful wink.

Unsure of what to make of the current situation, the redhead backed away from the fight and opted to heed his advice. As she exited the barracks, she considered finding Rangiku again, but the very thought of their last conversation set her cheeks on fire and she decided against it. Then, she remembered that she hadn't gotten to catch up with Rukia. Naturally, thinking of Rukia reminded her of her brother, someone that she had yet to make up with. She wondered if he had eaten the Wakame Taishi that she had made for him, and whether he had enjoyed it. What if he was still mad at her? Unwittingly, she made her way down the street towards the neighbouring Sixth Division.

Byakuya had heard of what had happened in Karakura. He also knew that a certain human was in Seireitei. What he hadn't expected to hear was that she was spending time with a certain silver-haired captain at his private gardens. Not that it was any of his business, but he still couldn't help but fall into a sour mood. Immersed in work, the regal Kuchiki had hoped to channel his irritation into productivity, but in actuality, he was just scaring his officers, and creating even more work for everyone else. Frustrated and cranky, he was startled to feel her reiatsu approaching his office.

Orihime paused at his door. She smoothed her hair down and straightened all of her hemlines. She had no clue why she was nervous, but she felt like a little girl again as she knocked tentatively. There was a long wait before she finally heard his voice.

"Come in."

"Good day, Kuchiki-taichou," she greeted him, bowing politely.

"Inoue-san, what brings you to my division?" He wasn't trying to sound cold, but his voice lacked warmth and he could see Orihime shrink back in her spot.

"I-I was wondering if you ate my taiyaki. If you'd like, I can make it a-again."

"That won't be necessary. I saved a part of it and had my kitchen staff study and recreate it."

Orihime's jaw dropped. Never in a million years did she think that she would meet someone who enjoyed her cooking enough to "recreate" it. It was both flattery and shock and the feelings rocked through her, weakening her knees. Just as they bucked, the captain swiftly stood up to catch her.

"Y-You liked it?" was all she could muster, while blushing furiously.

"I did." His expression unwavering, there was no way that she would know just how much he had appreciated it.

Meanwhile, in Karakura...

Tatsuki wrapped herself in a plush towel and hummed as she emerged from the bathroom. Crying out, she jumped when a shinigami suddenly leaped through her balcony and landed before her.

"What the hell, Ichigo!"

"Tatsuki! I'm so sorry!" Cheeks crimson, the embarrassed doctor spun around to give his childhood friend some privacy, as she scrambled for her clothes.

"What are you doing here? Did you come all the way back in this form?"

"No, no. I took a flight. My body's at Pop's. Let's save the small talk for later. Where is that bastard?"

"They're not here." She sighed.

"How could you let him stay here? I mean, I get that Inoue doesn't know any better, but you too?"

"Hey! Watch it! Orihime knows what she's doing. And-"

"Ugh! You know what I mean! Where are they?"

Tatsuki frowned. On the one hand, she was excited because she could piece together that Ichigo clearly had feelings for her best friend. On the other hand, she worried about the conflict that was sure to arise with Grimmjow's impending return.

"Orihime took him to Soul Society. She should be back tomorrow. If you really care about her, you should stay here to wait for her."

"I can't just sit around here while she's in danger!"

"Danger? Wow. You don't know what happened, huh?"

After detailing for Ichigo the latest events at Karakura, putting emphasis on how Grimmjow was a hero, sacrificing himself to protect Orihime, she watched as his face fell from urgency to unease, before finally returning to a blank state. Clearly, her childhood friend had not anticipated having his rivalry with the former arrancar extend into the realms of romance. Hell, she fathomed that he had probably only just discovered his own feelings.

"So, what are you going to do?" She finally asked after a long moment of silence.

"I don't know. I want to go bash his skull in, but I don't even have a good reason to. Tatsuki, what's wrong with me? Why am I so mad? He protected Inoue... Why aren't I relieved?" The poor redhead was now yanking at his hair, fistfuls of bright orange in both hands.

"Oh, Ichigo..." The raven-haired sensei patted his shoulder and guided him to the kitchen for some teatime.

She had always suspected that he would one day turn to her for these very reasons, and it appeared that that day had finally come. Interlocking her fingers, she stretched them upwards and cracked her knuckles, preparing herself for the long night ahead. It wasn't like her friend was dumb, but when it came to certain matters, such as the current ones at hand, it was like he didn't speak the same language as her.