AN: Sorry for the long wait, again. I've been lazy and tired so…yeah. I do not own Bleach or any of its characters.

So I wrote that top part almost a year ago, yikes. Please forgive me.

Chapter 17, Orihime's Point of View

I almost yell out until a familiar voice exclaims, "Don't yell, Orihime! Sorry for tugging you back like that, I just got a bit excited to see you."

I let out a sigh of relief and smile as I look over and see familiar faces. I hug Rukia and greet the couple, "Hey Rukia, Renji. It's good to see you guys again. It's been a while."

Renji responds, "It sure has been but we finally decided it was time to go home, at least for a while. Especially since Rukia has missed you and has been bugging to see you."

Rukia nudges Renji a bit roughly before she says, "He's exaggerating about the bugging part…anyway, I was wondering if we could stop by your place tomorrow. You still live in the same place right?"

I nod as I smile at them and excuse myself for the night, "Yes of course, I'd love to have you over. Come at any time you please. I best be going now, it's getting late and I must grade a few papers."

Rukia hugs me once more before walking in the opposite direction with Renji. I let out another sigh of relief, glad it wasn't Senna who stopped me. I continue my walk home and begin to think if I should buy any groceries to make a normal dish for Rukia and Renji.

Ichigo's Point of View

I stop in my tracks when I believe to feel Orihime is in a panic but then the feeling goes away. I wait a moment longer before continuing to my apartment. I walk slowly since it begins to feel like someone is following me. I glance around before picking up my pace.

I sense somebody behind me so I stop in my tracks and turn around while throwing a punch. The figure ducks in time and then proceeds to grab my wrist. I drop my guard when I see who it is. They notice and flip me over, landing me on my ass, as they exclaim, "You idiot! You could've actually hit me. Why would you suddenly throw a punch behind you?"

"Me?! You're the one that's following me all creepy like. Why didn't you just call out to me like a normal person?!" I exclaim loudly as I get up.

Rukia gives me a smug look just as Renji walks up behind her. I glare at the both of them, waiting for an explanation. Renji finally speaks, "Don't give me that look. I simply walked at my own pace as she went ahead with her own plan. Anyway, we came back because we heard Senna is here."

My face goes back to its usual scowl as I nod my head, "Alright but what exactly are you planning to do about it? It's not like she'll listen to anyone…and I'm not sure she'll be easy to kill."

Rukia gives me a serious look but I speak before she asks what I know she's going to ask, "Not for the reason you're thinking. She's not an easy one to catch off guard when it comes to her life."

"Well, regardless, we came to help. Have you had any trouble with hunters around here?" Rukia asks, slightly changing the subject.

"Not exactly, the one that has been tracking me down is kind of on my side. He said he'd help with Senna also, but he has his own reasons for doing it." I grimace at the thought, not a pleasant one.

"Alright then, we'll be seeing you around Ichigo. Right now we have to get going." Renji speaks as he and Rukia head in the opposite direction I was going in.

I sigh aloud before continuing my walk home. Those bastards, they didn't have to sneak up on me and then act like I was at fault. Should I have told them that I involved a human in all of this? Thinking of Orihime just reminded me of something else.

It has been very quiet recently, not a peep from Senna. What could she be planning to instruct me to do this time? I feel a sudden uneasiness as I come up with nothing. If I don't know what she could be planning, how will I be able to protect Orihime?

I am tempted to rush to her apartment but what if she messages me tonight? Why must everything be so hard? Why did she have to come back, especially now when I met Orihime? I must protect her at all cost, I don't ever want to hurt her or see her get hurt. After reaching my apartment, and changing into sweats, I lie down on my bed for a while. I drift off to sleep eventually while I repeat to myself, "I won't let Orihime get hurt."

I wake a bit after seven and get into a cold shower before sitting down to grade some papers. I grunt to myself and begin to question why I had to get a job as a teacher. Then I remind myself that, that way I can be close to Orihime even as she works. I smile to myself and continue grading.

By the time I finish the majority I check my watch and see that it's almost one o'clock. I mutter a few swear words as I change into a casual outfit before heading to Orihime's. I told her I'd be heading around the afternoon so I'm not late but I did want to spend as much time as I could with her.

I knock nervously when I reach her apartment, hoping everything is okay. She opens the door and looks at me wide eyed. Before I can ask "what" she steps aside to let me in as she explains a bit panicked, "I'm sorry but I forgot you were coming today. Don't take it the wrong way, it's just…" She trails off when she notices that I am staring at her intently.

She opens her mouth to say something but doesn't. I walk toward her slowly, causing her to back up against the closed door. "You forgot that easily? Or is it an excuse so I won't kiss you?"

I see the red in her cheeks form as I lean in closer to her face, gently putting my lips on hers. She moans softly as I kiss her harder and hold her arms down with my hands. I slide my tongue gently into her mouth but we both pull away quickly when a sudden knock at the door interrupts us. Orihime sends me an apologetic look before straightening up and backing up to open the door.

I move a few feet back as well and stand behind her. As Orihime greets the couple in front of us with a blush and a smile I can't help but widen my eyes. They know each other? Orihime knows other vampires but doesn't know that they are vampires, or does she?!

AN: So I'm pretty sure it's obvious as to who Ichigo is talking about, but regardless sorry if it seems like a cliffhanger. But I am SUPER SORRY for not updating for like a year. So much has happened but I only recently got a sudden inspiration to write again.