"Don't you think you're getting too old for monsters to be outside your window Orihime?" the young male of 22 years asked his younger sister teasingly. Puffing out her cheeks in annoyance the girl with long locks of auburn hair and a pearl like complexion narrowed her light brown eyes at her guardian.

"No! I'm serious Sora! I heard a monster outside!" Leading him to the door of her room she cautiously stepped inside, only after he went first. "Listen!" rolling his eyes he humored her and stayed silent.

Growl

Eyes wide in disbelief he turned to her window. Ready to investigate his hand was held by her smaller one. As they closed in on her window she retreated to her bed and watched from afar.

"Sora! W-wait! B-be careful!" She watched helplessly as he opened her window. Reaching down and scooping up something with both his hands she huddled deeper into her blanket shield until he faced her with a gentle smile.

"PUPPY!" Her eyes became wide with wonder as she abandoned the safety of her bed. Both siblings huddled close to the black fur ball, looking like he was only a few months old. Fur wet and matted with mud from the rainstorms they had been having previously both Sora and Orihime rushed to draw him a warm bath. During which they discovered he was a she and had the most beautiful hue of blue eyes either of them had ever seen.

Giggling as the pup shook off excess water Orihime then began chasing it around with a towel in hand while her older brother laughed and watched from the bathroom entrance.

Eventually settling down, both the ten-year-old and pup made their way to her room.

"And this is my room! It's small and messy-"

"Just like you little bird?" Both laughed and play wrestled while the unnamed pup looked between them both, tail wagging rapidly. Finally picking up the little rascal by the scruff Sora gave her to Orihime who then settled her at the foot of the bed in a little box with a blanket, her makeshift bed for now.

While tucking in his little sister he couldn't help but lightly frown. Pets were not allowed where they lived. 'What am I supposed to do with two mouths to feed too?' The land lady surely wouldn't let them keep the puppy. 'Poor little bird how do I break the news to her?' brought out of his daze by a yelp he looked down to see the puppy had gotten out of her bed and was now panting at his feet.

"Look Sora! She wants to say thank you!" smiling kindly down at the small furball he scoops both her and his sister and hugs them close. With Orihime giggling and smiling and the puppy yapping he knew in that moment that they would be inseparable.

The next morning while Orihime played with the puppy while Sora went to fetch the mail. It was then he was approached by the landlady.

"I heard that mutt yapping late last night! I don't allow mutts in my establishments, either get rid of it or I get rid of you both!"

Quietly returning to his and Orihime's small house he stood at the door for a few silent moments. Thinking over his options. If he took the pup to the pound surely, they wouldn't kill her? But Orihime already loves her. But another mouth to worry about feeding! 'I can get another job, but at what costs?' Sighing Sora simply put it all aside and smiled when his sister came into view. As he closed the door behind him Orihime came barreling towards him along with a scampering black ball of fur.

"Sora! Sora! Guess what? I have a name for her!" laughing Sora gently patted both their heads and asked what she could have possibly come up with.

"Mayo!" guffawing Sora wiped a tear away as she continued blabbering on.

"How about Spaghetti? Oh! Hot Sauce? No, even better! Dango!" Unaware of the little girl's plight the pup simply barked at every name with a goofy wag of her tail.

"Little bird I am not walking a dog named Hot Sauce. We need a name that encompasses her essence."

"Her ess-ess?"

"Essence little bird. How about Blue? For her eyes? Or Scamp? Or Kuma? Or-"

"Kuro!" Plain and simple. The pup tilted her head, Kuro tilted her head.

Running to the other side of the room Orihime began calling for their new family.

"Kuro! Come here! Kuro!" Looking up at Sora the newly named Kuro simply sat down and continued wagging her tail. 'Well, it'll take some time.' He thought with a smile. And time was all they had and more.

That month was hectic. Not only did they find a new place to live, apartments in the town of Karakura, but Orihime also began junior high school. Kuro and Sora walked her to school every day until Sora became too busy with work to do so, luckily the growing puppy had learned to walk Orihime herself and return home. As each day passed, spring turned into summer eventually. And that summer break Orihime had brought home her first friend. A tough looking tomboy girl by the name of Tatsuki Arisawa. Sora was skeptical at first but when Kuro immediately warmed up to her he knew she was a life long friend.

Summer turned into Fall and from then Sora knew he had to teach Kuro to be a protector the night Orihime was nearly kidnapped. And so, by winter the playful Kuro was now a force to be reckoned with. Everyone knew Orihime by either her ditsy ways, curvaceous body or by the massive attack wolf looking dog that would walk with her to school everyday without fail.

"Bye Kuro! I'll see you after school!" Hugging the dog around the neck she then makes her way to class, not noticing the whispers and looks of disbelief.

"Is she crazy!"

"That's no dog, that's a monster!"

"It shouldn't be allowed to roam like that."

"It could hurt someone."

Luckily Sora was prepared for the authorities to approach him on the matter and would then present to them several pieces of paper work stating that Kuro was in fact a service animal. And over time, the complaints subsided, and Kuro became well known for being a gentle giant. Well, at least by close friends and family.

However, that title was long forgotten the night a drunk tried to coax Orihime into his car one rainy evening. Resulting in a scuffle Kuro saw that her ward was in danger and there fore took care of the threat but not without being wounded. The drunk had lodged a switchblade into her shoulder before making a quick getaway. Calling for help Orihime continued to cry and yell for help. Luck would be on her side when a boy, much taller than her but wearing their school uniform rushed to help.

"She'll bleed out at this rate, follow me!" With a strength she didn't know he had he hosted Kuro over his shoulder and grasped her hand firmly and began running. Following closely behind she wiped her tears away with her free hand. They would eventually arrive at a clinic.

"Hey old man! We got a patient!"

Immediately an older man came to their aid and began shouting out medical nonsense while at the same time yelling at the boy.

"We'll need an open room now, you stupid brat! Why'd you bring me a mutt! And where have you been! It's late! Your beloved mother would have my head if-" Standing in shock at the entrance of the clinic Orihime couldn't help but gawk at their savior. He had a mess of orange hair and a lightly tanned complexion. When he finally walked away from the doctor with a huff, she could only assume they were somehow related, her eyes connected with his. And it was then and there, she knew, she was hopelessly in love.

"Here, call whoever you need to say that you're ok. The mutt should be ok now that my old man's got a hold of her."

Shaking out of her daze she shakily took the phone from his grasp and began dialing Sora. He immediately picked up and asked what happened. Explaining to him everything he then asked where she was. She paused, not entirely sure herself. Gently taking the phone from her the mystery boy then spoke into the phone.

"Yo, this is Ichigo Kurosaki. I'm at the Kurosaki clinic with Orihime at the corner of-" As he spoke to her brother with a furrowed brow she couldn't help but daydream.

An hour later her brother had made it, and both were told by Ichigo's father, Isshin Kurosaki, that Kuro would be ok. Thanking them both profusely both Orihime and Sora cried in happiness. Invited in for tea and something warm it was then Orihime learned more about her new-found crush. He had two younger sisters, Yuzu and Karin. He often fought with his father (whether playfully or physically) and he had never once looked at her with pity. Like so many people did.

When it was time to leave Isshin informed them that Kuro would have to stay overnight for observation. With heavy hearts they agreed and said their temporary good byes.

"Night Kuro be good to Mr. Kurosaki and his family. I promise I'll come right after school tomorrow."

"Sorry little bird, you'll have to wait till I get off work before we can come see Kuro." Tears filled her eyes as she nodded her head but then a voice spoke up.

"If it's alright with you Mr. Inoue I can walk her here. This is my house after all." Looking up she was again met with the burning eyes of Ichigo Kurosaki. Sora reluctantly agreed. Smiling she thanked him yet again.

As she waved goodbye to the Kurosaki family, her passing thought as she talked animatedly to Sora was; 'He has beautiful eyes.'

As Kuro slept that night a dark ominous figure entered her room. Walking with calculated steps they finally paused in their approach at the foot of her bed.

"I know what you are.'' A gruff voice spoke. Her ears twitched at the sound, but still too weak to open her eyes she could only listen drifting in and out of consciousness.

"The question is, do you?"

'Me?'