A/N: Hello! Thank you all for reading and thank you to those who have Reviewed, favorited and followed! this is my first Bleach fic and im still trying to figure out how to keep the characters IN character, so sorry if they do seem too OOC! let me know in a review what you guys think! Ill post a warning when there is a Lemon or any smit action which will happen, thats why its rated M, but without further delay, here is chapter 2!

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Chapter 2

Jealousy and Enlightenment

Uryu decided to get to Orihime's apartment a little bit early, to give her a chance to get ready since he had her uniform. It hadn't taken him too long to alter it, but he would've worked on it all night so no more 'situations' occurred at school... where he might not be able to hide said 'situation' again. He threw the thought out as soon as he arrived to Orihime's unit. He knocked and heard her little footsteps approaching.

"Good morning, Ishida-kun!" Orihime beamed that marvelous smile he loved.

"Good morning, Inoue-san," he lifted the bag with the folded garments while returning a smile, not as bright as hers but at least it was there. "Here's your uniform."

Orihime grabbed the bag and gave him a tight hug.

"ThankYouThankYouThankYou!" she gave him a final squeeze before running off to her bedroom. "I'll be right back!" She called as she closed to door. Well at least she had learned to not change in front of him again. He pushed his glasses up and sat on her couch to patiently wait for her.

Orihime slipped her sleeping t-shirt off and put on a new bra, today's bra was bright yellow with matching cotton undies. She slipped her old/new uniform shirt on and could button the shirt up with absolutely no problem at all. She of course didn't doubt Uryu for a second, but actually having it on her body and seeing the amazing craftsmanship had her awe struck. Next was the skirt, and now she could twirl and bend down and not have to worry about revealing the entire school the color of underpants she wore. The jacket now fit like new as well and she smiled at herself in her mirror and moved to the bathroom to fix her hair. She had showered and done everything before Uryu got to her apartment so now it was time to go. She excitedly walked out of her room and gave Uryu a little twirl to show off the uniform he had fixed for her.

"Fits like new!" She chimed and grabbed her book-bag and slipped her shoes on at the entrance.

"See, I told you." Uryu smiled and put his shoes back on as well.

"I never doubted you, I know you're the best!"

Uryu chuckled and opened her front door for her.

"Thank you." He flushed a little at her compliment. If it was anyone else it wouldn't have even phased him.

They walked to school in a comfortable silence until Uryu remembered that she hadn't told him her nights dream per their tradition when they saw each other and had time to chat.

"So what was last nights dream? More aliens? Perhaps you were the star of a spy flick?" He asked facetiously

She gave a little giggle recalling last nights dream.

"Actually, it was all over the place! It started with me going to get a puppy!"

Uryu looked at how happy she was talking about something so small.

"But I couldn't decide which puppy from the shelter to adopt! So I just adopted them all!" She twirled a piece of her hair while she tried to remember the next part.

"Then, after that I had a dream about you!" He nearly tripped over the air that was in front of him when she said that.

"Ishida-kun! Are you okay?" She grabbed his arm to stabilize him.

"Y-yes, sorry Inoue-san. Please continue with your dream."

"Well, you and I were at an amusement park, and we were on a roller coaster but part of the coaster was missing and we crashed and blew up." She trailed off. Not what Uryu was expecting to hear but he also didn't want to admit he wanted it to be what he initially thought. He knew this sweet girl wasn't capable of thinking that way or having dreams like that.

"Aaand that was all of it. It was really random but my dreams are always pretty random." She gave him a wide smile.

He chuckled. Yes they were.

Ichigo yawned as he and Keigo approached the school, Keigo rambling about something dumb, but he wasn't paying too much attention. As he arrived at the gate he saw caramel locks walking next to Uryu. What the hell? He thought. Arched his brow and watched as they got closer. Orihime giggling at whatever Uryu said, slightly covering her mouth. Ichigo scowled and felt something pang in his chest.

"Ichigoooo~ are you even listening to me?" Keigo whined and noticed the look on Ichigo's face and saw he was starring at something. He looked in the direction of where Ichigo was looking and saw Uryu with the lovely Orihime.

"Uhoh Ichigo, looks like the nerd might get the girl." Keigo mused and looked at Ichigo's reaction.

He hit Keigo with his book bag as he approached the walking pair.

"Hey, are you alright, Inoue?" Orihime gave Ichigo a confused look.

"Oh hi, Kurosaki-kun! Yeah, I'm completely fine! Why do you ask?" She looked up at him with her gray eyes.

"Well I thought maybe something happened considering Ishida is walking you to school and not Tatsuki." He looks to Uryu who has a scowl of his own appointed to the bright orange haired Shinigami.

"What, I cant walk our friend to school?" He glared at the nosy teen. "But anyway, if you must know, I fixed her uniform last night and gave it back to her this morning, not that it was any of your business." He crossed his arms.

Ichigos scowl deepened.

"Just thought it was odd is all." Orihime was nervous between the two scowling boys.

"P-please, uhm lets just go inside? We might be late if we don't get there soon!" She laughs nervously. Why were these two always fighting? She thought.

"You're right Inoue-san, lets go." He looked down at the girl.

"Walk with us, Kurosaki-kun?" She smiled at him.

Ichigo sighed, he didn't want to walk with Uryu's stuck up ass but he nodded. He found out over the years that it was hard to refuse her things, he caught up to her in a couple steps.

Uryu rolled his eyes and kept quiet.

Ichigo couldn't explain what that feeling he felt was. Why did he get angry to see him with her? He was sure he would've been angry if it was anyone walking with her, he felt this same anger when Shinji had come to recruit him and was all over her. At least he was thankful that Uryu fixed her uniform so all the chatter about the subject wouldn't be brought up again. He even heard his hollow groan at the fact that the uniform no longer threatened to explode. They arrived in class and Ichigo lightly grabbed Orihime's wrist to stop her from going into the classroom. Uryu looked back, but decided to leave them be. He took his seat and pulled out todays book and began to prepare for today's lesson.

Orihime looked up to Ichigo confused.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, I actually have something to say." He rubbed the back of his neck and got a little closer so no one overheard him talking.

"Yes?" She blushed at how close they were.

"I wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday. I was so rude to you and I didn't mean to upset you if I did. I was just upset because of something my dumb friends said. And it angered me more than I thought it would." He looks down at her apologetically. She shakes her head.

"No it's okay, Kurosaki-kun! It was my fault. I shouldn't have pushed you when I knew you were upset." She looked at his bandaged hand. "I just didn't want you to be in pain."

He closed and opened his hand, "I've had worse, don't worry." He chuckled.

Their teacher saw them and pushed them both into the classroom.

"No time for you two to be lovey-dovey right now, class is about to start!" She closed the door as the bell rang and they both went to their seats wearing a blush the shade of Chizuru's hair.

Uryu rolled his eyes and kept reading his book.

How lucky Kurosaki was, yet so dumb. How did he not see Orihime's feelings for him? He wasn't jealous per say, he was happy as long as she was happy, and if that meant being with the orange haired oaf then so be it. He gave a final sigh before their teacher began the lesson.

Ichigo kept glancing at Orihime through the lesson, still trying to figure out why he got angry for her being with Uryu.

'You fucking idiot. It's because you don't want her with anyone else! I know I was angry too when I saw queenie with that weak, lanky fuck.' His hollow chimed in to enlighten him.

'That's ridiculous... you're saying I was jealous?'

'Doi!' his hollow laughed.

Sure Ichigo felt protective of her, more than any of their other friends, But did that mean something?

'Why do you think you got so mad at your imbecilic friends for even looking at her.' He chuckled with his high pitched, ear raking voice.

'Or remember that rage when that viziard creep was flirting with her?'

That's all Ichigo thought about until the end of school that day. Thoughts completely plagued by the sweetest person he knew. Maybe part of him always knew he had some sort of feelings for her other than friendship. When he looked at her he would feel warm and it would bring a small smile to his face, and he would have a lot of dreams Orihime, and that smile of hers which was brighter than the sun. Plus, his hollow was right, he didn't like when anyone was around her with intentions to be overly friendly.

Ichigo walked home, confused and feeling quite overwhelmed about his realization.

Once ichigo opened the front door to his house there was a shout, "ICHIGO~" quickly sidestepping his fathers, once again, terrible attempt at a sneak attack.

"You need to stop yelling my name before you jump me if you want to catch me off guard." He said quietly before walking to the stairs.

"Ichi-nii, are you hungry?" Yuzu asked while she prepared her dark haired sister a sandwich.

"No thanks, I'll be in my room if anyone needs me."

The Kurosaki family just looked to where Ichigo was walking up the stairs and disappeared into his room.

"That was strange, he didnt even yell at goat face." Karin said while turning back to the television.

Yuzu and their father agreed.

Ishin placed a hand on his chin, "Well Karin, Yuzu, I think he's finally at that stage... this is typical teenage behavior! He's at the point in his life where he wants to be rebellious and ignore his family! Especially his father!" He now has tears streaming down his face, slumped against a wall.

"Well if you don't shut up and stop being so dramatic I'll get to that stage early!" Karin throws the remote she has in her hand at their father.

Ichigo barely noticing the noise his family was causing downstairs. He slumped on his bed, arms behind his head in thought.

The voice of his hollow once again in the back of his head.

'Look King, I'm not one for sappy feelings either, but ask yourself, if there's any doubt in your mind, how did you feel when she was hurt by the arrancar scum, and when she was taken from you.'

Ichigo felt a pang in his chest along with anger. He felt although he failed... and the sun might as well have extinguished. He didn't hesitate to go after her, even though he knew his enemies were stronger. He didn't want to lose her. He was so desperate. His hollow was right... he had been oblivious to his own feelings. Ichigo was never any good at feelings, so it was easy to misinterpret them. Ichigo blamed it on hormones whenever she smiled at him and he felt his chest pound, He found the smallest things to not think too much about why she had such an effect on him. He had been so dense and ignorant. He realized now that all those feelings he tried to ignore weren't just feelings of something more than friendship, but of love. When she was taken he was ready to kill anyone who stood in his way, Grimmjow, Ulquiorra, Aizen. Hell! He was ready to kill that bastard Yamamoto for even saying that she was a traitor. He was ready to die for her. And, according to Urahara, he had died for her. And still, her needing him and his need to protect her was so strong, he defied the laws of the dead and the living. And he would do it again without a second thought in his mind.

Ichigo closed his eyes, picturing her beautiful russet colored hair, and her big grey doe eyes. After realization hit all he wanted to do in that moment was hold her. Heart racing in his chest, now that he had confirmed his feelings, what was next? Tell her? His face turned tomato red at the thought. No way... what if she didn't return his feelings...

'Well you need to act fast, King,'

Ichigo furrowed his brows

'What makes you say that?' Surely he didn't have to rush anything.

'She's being taken away again...' his hollows voice got gruff.

'What? By who?' Ichigo quickly sat up right on his bed.

'That Quincy trash...'

"Uryu?" Ichigo questioned out loud.

'We need to get her before he does, we need Queenie all to ourselves.' And with that his hollow went quiet.

He thought about it for a moment... they were spending a lot of time together after the war, but did Uryu really care for her like he did? It was possible, if Ichigo had been oblivious to his own feelings, who's to say he would've noticed Uryu's. Uryu did act differently around her now that he's thinking about this more... Ichigo clenched his jaw. He needed to know for sure before jumping to conclusions... should he ask him directly? No... that wasn't like him. He couldn't just stand around either. If it was true then he couldn't let them get closer than they already were. Ichigo punched his pillow.

"Damn it." He gritted his teeth together.

Suddenly there was a knock on his door.

"Ichi-ni! Dinner is ready!" Yuzu called,

"Y-yeah, I'll be right down."

"Well hurry before everything gets cold!" He heard her little footsteps walk away from his door and down the stairs.

Ichigo let out a big sigh before getting up and walking downstairs. Feelings were hard.

Uryu had been in his room, book open on his desk. Other than walking Orihime to school, the day had been dull. He had done his homework earlier that night, so he'd had nothing to do but to sit at his desk, book open but not paying attention to it as his thoughts were currently being taken up by the beautiful healer. Uryu wasn't one to fantasize about anything, but the girl had a trend of making him act out of character, or what he wanted others to think his character was. So there he was, wondering what it be like to maybe being the one to permanently walk her to school everyday... which shifted to thoughts of them holding hands... then he thought of her pouty lips... What would it feel like to kiss her? She probably tasted like strawberries considering it's her favorite. Uryu blushed, even just the thought of touching her, kissing her, was absolutely intoxicating. Uryu sighed, all these thoughts were just setting himself up to be heartbroken. He knew he shouldn't even be thinking this. He's no where near worthy of her, no one was. She was perfect.

His train of thought shifted to the incident that happened that morning. He remembered the look on Ichigo's face when he had seen them walking together.

The nosy Shinigami really had the audacity to ask why he was walking with her, when she was his friend as well? He had no reason to act so protective and possessive, they had just been walking. Uryu Took off his glasses, trying to rub the tiredness out of his closed eyes. He put his glasses back on, sighed and shut the ignored book and stood, about to change into some sleep clothes, before he felt a familiar spiritual pressure outside his house.

Hm, speak of the devil, he thought.

Uryu looked to his alarm clock which read '2:24 am' was it really this late already? What could he possibly want. He shook his head before walking to his window.

Uryu opened his window and saw the orange haired Shinigami. Uryu backed away from the window, knowing Ichigo's favorite way of entering and exiting buildings.

Ichigo jumped in through the window, tension automatically felt as he looked into the blue eyes of the Quincy.

"I assume you have a good reason to be bothering me so late, Kurosaki." Uryu sat crossed legged on his bed, pointing to the desk chair with his eyes. Ichigo sat down, scowl in place.

"There was something I needed to ask you. I couldn't sleep without knowing the answer." Uryu examined his face, trying to see if he could figure out what he was going to ask.

"Can't promise I have an answer for you, but you can ask." He pushed up his glasses and continued to study Ichigo.

"It's about Inoue." It was Ichigo's turn to examine Uryu's reaction.

Blue eyes widened a little, but only for a second as he kept his composure, but Ichigo noticed.

"What about Inoue-san?"

"Do you have feelings for her?" Uryu couldn't keep his cool this time, he hadn't expected for him to be so blunt with his question. He stayed silent for a moment, only increasing the tension.

"What if I do? I don't see how it concerns you."

Ichigo stood, anger blatant on his face.

"It concerns me because... I-I love her." Ichigo was not only red from anger, but from a little embarrassment. This is the first time he's ever been so direct about his feelings. But he needed to get his message across.

Uryu felt his heart sink, he knew them winding up together was a possibility, but the fact that it could happen so soon was a little hard for him to handle.

Now that they return each others feelings, it would only be inevitable.

"So, you've come here to warn me away? Is that it?" Uryu stood. "Well, I do not see Inoue-san as an object to be won, I just want to see her happy," Ichigo's face showing signs of relief, until Uryu kept speaking. "But, I am first and foremost her friend, and I will not stand aside and leave her if and when she needs me. You're not the only one who's willing to protect her at all costs."

Ichigo clenched his jaw.

"You have wasted your time, you came here to basically say to stay away from her, correct?" Uryu crossed his arms. "What Kurosaki? Are you so threatened by me?" Ichigo clenched his bandaged hand, the wounds on his knuckles slightly opening again. "You can go home now, if that's all you came to say to me. I won't stay away. She's my friend too and now because you've realized your feelings you expect me to just go away? So you can keep her all to yourself? How selfish and pathetic." Uryu glared blue daggers at the Shinigami. "When did you realize these so-called feelings? You assumed I cared about her and you assumed correct, but did you even ask yourself how long I've cared about her?" Uryu scoffed. "Of course not. But that doesn't matter to you. Inoue-san is OUR friend. You weren't the only one who risked his life and went to Hueco Mundo and saved her. Not the only one who cared about her..." Uryu closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Attempting to calm himself. "Now, go home Kurosaki."

Before Ichigo could decide if he either wanted to punch or yell at the Quincy they both felt a spike in a spiritual pressure.

"Inoue!" They both looked at each other before they both hurdled out the window and in the direction of the healer.

"This is the same spike of reitsu she releases when she has nightmares." Uryu ran alongside Ichigo. Ichigo turned his head to look at him in confusion. Nightmares? Ichigo thought.

They quickly arrive at her door, everything seems to be in order and no sight of danger. They both sigh in relief as Uryu knocks.

They hear a small muffled Yelp and the sound of something falling to the floor.

"Inoue! Are you okay, please open the door!" Ichigo knocked again.

"Stop, she probably just had a nightmare, don't frighten her further by banging on her door!" Uryu yelled.

"C-coming!" They heard her sweet voice.

They heard more cluttering sounds and then she opened the door, just a crack.

"Y-yes?" They could barely see her.

"We felt your reitsu, we wanted to make sure you were okay." Uryu spoke first.

"Yep! All fine! Just had a funky dream is all!" She laughed nervously.

"Was it a nightmare?" Uryu spoke again.

"Oh no, not at all! You two can go home now!" She was about to shut the door before Ichigo's hand stopped it.

"Inoue, please, let us in, we just want to make sure you're safe." His chocolate brown eyes and Uryu's sapphire ones pleaded. She opened the door a little.

"See? I'm all okay!" She knocked on her own head.

As soon as she stopped nervous laughing and Uryu stepped forward she jumped back, face completely flushed.

Uryu recoiled, "I didn't mean to startle you." He didn't understand why she was acting this way. She always let him in after she had a bad dream. They would talk until she felt better. Maybe this wasn't a bad dream. Maybe something else was wrong.

Was she acting this way because Ichigo was here?

"Y-you didn't startle me, I- uh... I have a fever! Yup, so I better get back to sleep. Don't want to get you two sick."

~20 minutes ago~

Orihime jolted up from her dream, completely flushed and panting. She had never had a dream like this before... she buried her face in her hands.

"I'm such a pervert!" She felt like she was about to die from embarrassment. She had just had a perverted dream! Or a 'wet dream' as rangiku would call them. She rolled in her futon trying to erase her memory of her friend doing such things to her. But what was worse, is she didn't want to admit that she had enjoyed it, even thought the proof was still drenching the core of her panties.

"I-I just need some water." She tried to stand up but her legs were like jelly, her dream still very vivid in her mind. She dreamt of slender hands touching her all over, fingertips slipping under her shirt, up to her breasts, fondling her. His mouth on her neck, kissing, biting, sucking, licking. His sapphire blue eyes etched into her mind, the things he did to her branded there as well. While at the sink, desperately trying to forget, she felt two familiar reitsus coming closer. She immediately panicked.

What were they doing here? Or more importantly what how was she going to face Uryu? A knock was heard, and she tripped over her coffee table.

"Eep!"

"Coming!" She tried to get to the front door without knocking anything else down but failed due to her clumsiness.

She Cracked open the door and as soon as she saw those blue eyes, she turned into a sweating, flushed mess.

~E.N.D. flashback~

Uryu and Ichigo both looked at each other, they both knew she was lying. Did she not want them to help her? With whatever this was.

"I promise, I'm okay." She looked between the two men.

"Okay, if you're sure then we believe you." Uryu spoke and smiled down at her. Ichigo looked at the way he looked at her and glared at him for a second before also giving Orihime a reassuring smile.

"Just let us know if something happens and we'll come," Ichigo's smile made her wobble in the knees. "Goodnight, Inoue." He moves to back away.

"Night, Kurosaki-kun," she called after him. But Uryu wasn't moving, and she blushed when it was just them two standing there, remembering her dream about the Quincy. "Ishida-kun, I-I promise I'm okay." He was having an effect on her he didn't used to. She used to only see him as a friend. But now...

"I said I believe you, just wanted to double check, now that that annoying pest is gone. I thought maybe you didn't want to tell him." Uryu pushed up his glasses.

"Thank you, for checking on me. You both didn't have to do that." He was so handsome... she knew he was before the dream, but she admired it so much more now. So much different than the type of handsome Ichigo was. Ichigo was rugged and muscular. Uryu was sophisticated and lean.

Uryu smiled at her, she tried not to let an audible yelp out as it had the same effect Ichigo's smile had.

"Im always going to be here for you, Inoue-san," her heart fluttered. "Goodnight." He turned his back, walking back home.

"Goodnight." She whispered as he left.

She shut the door thinking about the two men who had just been at her door.

"Oh goodness..."