Ishida Uryuu was speechless, and temporarily frozen. Without warning, the red head had fainted. Right there in the empty classroom. The club had let out ten minutes earlier, about the time when he noticed she was bleeding. He caught hold of himself, and went to make sure she hadn't hit her head on the floor too hard.

When Orihime came to, she found worried faces swimming above her. They slowly came into focus. It was Kurosaki-kun, Kuchiki and Yuzu. She looked at them thoughtfully, wondering if she had woken up in the wrong place again. Perhaps it was the day after tomorrow already?

"Inoue-neesan, we were all so worried about you. Nii-chan's friend brought you here saying you fainted," Yuzu explained, seeing her confusion. She blinked. Kurosaki-kun's friend…? Ah, Ishida-kun!

"Oh… is Ishida-kun alright?" She asked softly. She had meant to say it with her usual fervor but it seemed to not be coming out. She hoped to all heaven that the gods weren't punishing her for lying about the mountains of laundry and currently homeless mountain monkeys which could be playing on her shirts and skirts and pants and…

"Ishida! Is Ishida alright! You're the one who fainted, idiot!" Kurosaki snapped, before Kuchiki put a steadying hand on his shoulder. Orihime winced at the anger in his voice. She was sorry. She was really, really sorry. Couldn't she make him happy with just being sorry?

"He's here," Kuchiki said calmly. This piece of news brought an alien relief and slight happiness to her, making a smile break out on her face. She glanced away. "Oi! Quincy! Get over here."

"W-why?"

"Just do it, the patient is asking to see you! So stop sulking over there in the corner like some stranger."

Ishida appeared then, Yuzu and Karin moving away to give him space. He seemed reluctant to look at her, and a slight blush was in his cheeks. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw that burning hand clenching slightly. Was Kurosaki still angry with her?

"Ah, Inoue-san. How are you feeling now?" He said, set back in his toneless voice. The way he did this made her laugh a little bit. He seemed like a child visiting the hospital for the first time.

"I feel better now," She responded warmly. "Thank you for taking care of me."

"Ah, Ishida, you live alone, don't you?" Rukia suddenly spoke. Ichigo glanced at her questioningly. Ishida nodded warily. "I have a favour to ask of you, if it isn't too much trouble." Ishida, as well as the rest of the people in the room were surprised by this.

"Well… what is this favour?" He asked cautiously. He sure as anything didn't want to be stuck bandaging Ichigo, the idiot who hurt himself on a constant basis. The work would be never ending.

"Please… could you look after Inoue for a few days?" She said, astonishing all who were present. "She lives alone, you see and we want to make sure she's resting." Ichigo looked rather scary.

"She could stay here, Rukia," He said, facing her. Of course, she wouldn't stand down against him. She wasn't weak. Ishida and Orihime watched dumbly as she responded.

"No, your father said she was stressed out so she needs to go somewhere quiet and rest for a few days! Ishida is quiet, and could very well make sure she doesn't try to over do it."

"Damnit, Rukia! But what if something happens? What if she doesn't get better!" Ichigo's voice rang out. Orihime knew what look he was wearing, without even seeing it. He was afraid she was going to die, like his mother. She wanted to speak up, wanted to say: "I'm really okay, so don't worry about me." However someone else spoke just as she opened her mouth.

"I understand," Ishida said, silencing the argument. He turned to Orihime. "Don't sit up too quickly, or you'll get dizzy." His blue eyes were very soft, as he offered her his hand.

"Ichigo and I will go pack you some things, so sit down if you feel out of it again," Rukia said, patting her head. Ichigo needed to be dragged from the room, but Orihime was used to the sight and didn't bat her eyes at such an odd moment.

"I was worried about you, Inoue-san." She took his hand, feeling restless and uncomfortable being the only on lying about while everyone was so energetic and running around.

"T-thank you," She said, looking up. Her heart was racing, and she didn't know why. "For worrying about me."

"I don't think this is such a great idea. I'd rather Inoue stay here where we can watch her ourselves. Besides, if anything happens we have Dad here- I mean… we're a clinic! How much better can we get as a place for her to rest! Besides-"

"You're worried about her, aren't you? Well, if you really care about her you'll let her go. I'm completely serious, she needs a calm environment and a break from her usual routine. I'm sure Ishida will look after her, he seems to be very close to her."

"W-well, you're my class mate, of course I worry when you suddenly faint," He said, gently pulling her to sit up. He waited a moment, his hand lingering in hers. "Are you dizzy?"

"No, not at all," Inoue responded with surprise of her own. It was completely unlike being jerked forward by Kurosaki-kun earlier that day. He had lifted her slowly as to adjust. And his hand… it was full within her grasp. She had never had quite so much contact with the cautious young man.

"That… bothers me. Ishida shot me a dirty look today when I was talking to Inoue. He looked angry, but not in his usual hatred of me as a shinigami."

"Ichigo, calm down. She loves you, doesn't she?"

"You're very gentle," Inoue said, smiling. A blush crossed his cheeks like wildfire. He let go of her hand and adjusted his glasses to compose himself.

"Are you ready to stand up now?" He asked, changing the subject. She nodded cheerfully.

"Yeah… you're right. I'm being stupid. I was just afraid…"

"I know. But you'll see. She just needs a break. And then she'll come back to us and we can finally discuss it with her. Believe in her, like I believe in her. She isn't some doll. Even if she does harbour some feelings for Ishida, it'll just be a crush completely overrun by her love for you."

Even with Ishida's gentleness, with one hand on the small of her back to support her should she fall she felt a little awkward on her feet.

"Ah, Ishida-kun…" the red head suddenly said, as soft as a sigh. Her heart was beating so quickly, she couldn't stand it.

"I'm so lucky to have you Rukia. No one else would understand me so well."

"Don't get soft on me, Kurosaki. I'd hate if you disintegrated into some romantic lump of a man. You know Orihime-chan is the one who likes it more."

The scene Ichigo and Rukia walked in on could have been misinterpreted if they had been a second later. Luckily enough for them, they saw Inoue looking rather unsteady before latching onto a surprised Ishida Uryuu who nearly fell over himself.

"Ah! I'm so sorry Ishida-kun!" Inoue cried, trying to straighten herself out.

"You two ought to call a taxi if she's that unsteady on her feet," Ichigo said, hand behind head. He was grinning like an idiot. Rukia could almost see the mantra set to work in his thick head about Inoue. So he thought himself the real ladies' man, did he? She'd make sure to scare him up tonight with some heavily worded situations from romance manga to make him worry about it a little more.

"A-ah…" Ishida answered, unsure where his hands should be in such an odd moment. On the one hand, he could be supporting her arms more in her straightening effort but the slight contact of her hands against him were enough to overload his systems as it was. Besides, their peers were over there, watching.

"Don't worry about it, Ishida. I'll pay for it," Rukia said cheerfully. Ichigo looked at her suspiciously.

"How are you going to do that, free-loader?" He responded, his usual scowl deepening.

"Oh. Forgive me! Ichigo will be paying for it!" Rukia said, though it was clear she had planned it out from the beginning. He was about to argue with her about it when laughter as light as a child's filled the room. Looking up, he saw the rosy face of Orihime. He hadn't seen her laugh like that in two weeks. She had been pale, spaced out and generally not herself.

"Hn. Enjoy your vacation, Inoue."

(A/N)

I don't own Bleach. Complete Author's notes can be found at the end of chapter four as I just cut this up into chapters for reading comfort.