A/N: Please accept my apologies for the extended absence. Truth is, I started writing this chapter a long time ago, but kept feeling dissatisfied. I've also been busy with work and have returned to daily yoga, which eats up most of my spare time. Instead of writing, I've been drawing and painting to decompress. Thank you for reading and being patient and supportive. I still intend to finish this story, but I cannot commit to weekly updates. =(

Be it chivalry or unexplored feelings, Byakuya found himself walking the bubbly redhead back to the Fifth. For the duration of their short walk, they chatted about calligraphy, its history and best practices. The conversation flowed naturally and before either knew it, they had arrived. Orihime had one foot inside the door when they were suddenly greeted by the captain.

"Orihime-chan, what perfect timing." He opened his arms as wide as his smile.

"Hirako-taichou! How is Grimmjow-san? I really can't thank you enough for helping him." Unsure of accepting the flirty captain's hug, she opted to bow in gratitude and respect instead.

"He's fine, he's fine." The blond waved a hand reassuringly.

"That's great! Can I take him back now?" She made a motion to move around, but the agile captain stepped directly in her way.

"Oh, good day, Kuchiki-taichou. What brings you to my barracks?"

The dark-haired captain raised an eyebrow when he was addressed. It was obvious to him that this devious man was hiding something. He did not care very much for the arrancar, but he rather disliked how familiar he acted around the oblivious doctor.

"Hirako-taichou." He nodded, but did not reciprocate the smile.

"So, Orihime-chan, about Grimmjow-kun... He's going to have to stay behind for a little while. We made tremendous progress with his powers, but his energy alerted the Twelfth. I don't know exactly what they plan to do with him, but I can guarantee you his safety. I promise you, I will not let them kill that bastard."

Orihime blinked. She had not expected this to happen. She knew that it was always the plan to bring him in, but now, it felt like he had just been taken from her.

"I want to see him." She tried to zip past, but could not match the blonde captain's speed.

"Now's not a good time. He's in good hands. Why don't you return to your world and I will send for you when he's all better?"

"What do you mean by better?" Her voice flattened.

Giving her his widest, sweetest smile, Shinji was about to place his hand over her shoulder when a bright blue beam of light cut between them, and an angry Grimmjow emerged.

"No thanks for the hospitality. I'll be taking my leave now." He spat at his host's feet.

"That wasn't the deal," the Visored shinigami calmly stated.

Orihime was about to protest when the cerulean-haired arrancar suddenly transformed back to human form and collapsed to the ground.

"This is exactly why he needs to stay here." Shinji pointed at the exhausted man panting in front of him.

"She's too weak to protect herself," he rasped between laboured breaths.

Shinji raised one eyebrow, choosing to take the high road by biting his tongue. Clearly, this ex-Espada could see the irony in his words, right?

"Orihime-chan will be protected by the Thirteenth. She will be safer being away from you."

"I can take care of myself," the doctor suddenly spoke up, a touch irritated.

"You almost died back there with the menos!" Grimmjow wasn't sure whether he was getting frustrated with her or himself for caring at all.

"We will send more officers to patrol the area now that we know that it is a danger zone."

"They're useless. The last two were a whole lot of good. They even survive?" He scowled, remembering how ineffective the two shinigami were in the battle against the giant hollow.

"I will watch over her."

Everyone turned in the direction of the new voice. All this time, the stoic captain of the sixth had been silent. Byakuya had been quietly observing the scene before him and now had had enough. In truth, he hadn't given it thorough consideration. He just found the entire exchange tiresome. It was too much fuss over an ex-fugitive and he knew that he did not want Orihime to go anywhere with that barbaric mongrel.

"Kuchiki-taichou, do you mean you will accompany Orihime-chan back to the Living World... And stay there?" Shinji did not bother to hide his surprise.

"Th-that won't be necessary," she managed to force out. A deep crimson flushed across her pale cheeks. The thought of the esteemed captain serving as her personal bodyguard made her super uncomfortable.

"My division has been tasked with investigating the garanta. Keeping you alive just happens to align with my duties," he said without emotion.

The tone of his voice signaled that he would not engage in a discussion. He was simply declaring what was happening. No one tried to argue with him. The ex-Espada knew that he was no match in his current condition to contest his decision. The blond captain had no reason to interfere with the Sixth's operations.

"Then, it's settled. You will stay as my guest and Kuchiki-taichou will bring Orihime-chan back." Shinji gave a curt nod in the dark-haired taichou's direction and dragged the ex-arrancar away before he could react.

"Um... Kuchiki-taichou..." She hesitated before asking, "Where will you stay?"

"It doesn't matter. I can stay where Grimmjow did," he said, unaware of what he was proposing.

It was obvious to the healer that the serious captain did not know where her ward was staying, or else he would never have suggested it. However, now that he had said it, she couldn't very well deny him of the request. She racked her brain, unsure of how to inform him of the living arrangements.