Orihime's heart was beating so loud that she could no longer hear anything else in her surroundings. Grimmjow was on campus, he was right outside Himawari Hall! Seemingly, he was waiting for her.

Orihime could not focus on anything but her overwhelming sense of fear. Time was both slowing down and speeding up. The world around her seemed to slow, but her heartrate only increased as tears silently began falling from her eyes. She felt as if the universe was about to rip apart where she was and swallow her whole. The vibrant colours of campus around her muted and she wondered if this is what dying felt like.

Standing there for what felt like eternity, Orihime became aware of a person standing in front of her. Forcing her eyes to focus and willing her heartbeat to quiet so she could hear the person, she realized that it was Byakuya standing in front of her and speaking to her.

"-if there's something I can do for you or someone I can call-"

"N-no! Thank you, Kuchiki-senpai." She quickly interrupted.

Fear on her face and tears still streaming from her eyes, Byakuya regarded her keenly.

"Inoue-san, are you having a panic attack?"

"Hm?" Inoue replied, still hearing her heart loudly thump in her ears. "A panic attack? Uhm, yea, th-that seems like it c-could be a possibility."

Byakuya nodded calmly. "Is there anything I can do for you right now, Inoue-san?"

Orihime began shaking her head but then seemed to remember something. "P-please don't leave me right now."

Byakuya nodded and motioned to the ground. "Why don't we sit down."

Orihime panicked. "W-wait! F-first could you tell me if there's a-a man with bright blue hair by Himawari Hall?"

Byakuya peered around to the other side of the tree, just in time to see the man in question hang up his cellphone and walk away looking annoyed. "He just left."

Orihime's knees relaxed and she slid down against the tree to a seat, breathing deeply.

Byakuya wondered about the man, but let it go for now. He sat down next to Orihime and watched as colour returned to her face and her breath return to normal. Anticipating that her panic attack had passed, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a handkerchief and presented it to her.

Orihime's eyes took a moment to focus on it, but when she understood what he was holding out to her, she nodded her thanks and used the handkerchief to dry her eyes and wipe her face. Feeling the soft cotton on her face, she took a deep breath and was greeted by a soft smell of cherry blossoms. She removed the handkerchief from her face and was surprised to see a number of embroidered childish-looking cartoons.

She smiled at Byakuya as she handed the handkerchief back to him. "I would not have pegged you as a lover of cartoons, Kuchiki-senpai."

Byakuya averted her gaze and stoically took the handkerchief back. "I'm not. It was a gift from my little sister."

Orihime giggled at this. "I never would have pegged Rukia-chan as a cartoon-love either!"

Byakuya's eyes widened slightly. "You know my sister?"

Orihime nodded. "Yes, we have a number of classes together."

Byakuya nodded at this as Orihime checked her phone for the time and frowned slightly. "Speaking of, I should be going to class."

Byakuya, observing her change in demeanor, stood up and held his hand out to her. "May I walk you to class Inoue-san?"

Orihime blushed slightly at the formal request and taking his offered hand, stood up gingerly. She patted herself, removing the dirt and grass that had gotten on her trench coat as she replied quietly, "Th-that's okay Kuchiki-senpai. I couldn't take up anymore of your time."

Byakuya remained firm. "Nonsense, Inoue-san. I insist."

And so the two of them began walking towards Orihime's class in relative silence. Orihime's silence was due to her residual embarrassment at Byakuya having caught her at such a vulnerable moment; Byakuya's was more of a preference. As they walked together, Orihime noticed students occasionally stare in their direction and whisper. Some who knew Byakuya even called out a greeting, to which he gave a slight nod. One person even braved coming right up to him, pouncing on his back to surprise him.

"Byakuya!" A woman's gravelly voice yelled playfully. "You know class is on the other side of campus, right?"

Byakuya quickly slouched her off and turned to her in annoyance. "Then why are you on this side of campus?"

"Ehh?" The woman exclaimed. "You know I don't attend class if I can help it."

Orihime's eyes widened at this exchange. Before her stood a beautiful tan woman with deep purple hair tied into a high ponytail. She wore tight black leggings and a cropped orange sweatshirt. As Orihime observed her, the woman noticed Orihime and looked at her intrigued.

"And what sweet girl do we have here? Are you dating freshmen, Byakuya?" The woman called.

Orihime squeaked in surprise as Byakuya rolled his eyes at the woman. "It's not your concern, woman."

The woman laughed heartily and then stuck a hand out to Orihime with a charming smile on her face. "Yoruichi Shihoin."

Orihime quickly shook her hand and replied, "Inoue Orihime."

Yoruichi pulled Orihime so that her arm was around Orihime's shoulder. "What's a cute girl like you doing with a brute of a man like him?"

Orihime blushed at the suggestion. "Kuchiki-senpai is my RA!" Orihime defended. "H-he was just walking me to class."

Yoruichi quirked an eyebrow at Byakuya, as if asking him if he walked all his residents to their classes. She then gently took Orihime's chin and turned it so that Orihime was facing her and stared deeply into her eyes. "So you're single then, Orihime-chan?"

As Orihime blushed further, a woman came running up to the trio, slightly out of breath and with a fierce blush on her face. "Yoruichi-senpai!" She interrupted. "I've been looking for you everywhere!"

Yoruichi sighed and disentangled herself from Orihime. "Yes, yes Soi Fon. I suppose that's my cue to get out of here. Bye bye Orihime-chan! Suck it, Byakuya!"

Byakuya sighed frustratedly but visibly relaxed as the two women walked away and he and Orihime continued to her class. "A friend of yours?" Orihime ventured.

"Hardly." Byakuya scoffed. Seeing the questioning look in Orihime's face he continued, "She's a family friend. We grew up playing together, but she really gets on my nerves."

Orihime giggled. "I can tell."

Byakuya observed Orihime and was thankful that the encounter with Yoruichi had at least gotten Orihime to relax and look somewhat less tense. As they neared the building, Byakuya turned to Orihime and was preparing to ask her about the man with the blue hair when a surprised voice called out to them from behind.

"Nii-san!"

Both Orihime and Byakuya turned to see a surprised Rukia. As she walked up to them, Byakuya nodded at her.

"Nii-san." Rukia repeated. "What are you doing here?"

"My class is also in this direction, so I walked with Inoue-san."

Orihime, who knew he was lying for her sake smiled at her friend. Rukia seemed unconvinced, knowing that Byakuya always preferred solitary walks. Perhaps he wanted to walk with Orihime?

"I'm happy to see you, nii-san." Rukia said quietly. Byakuya had insisted on living in residence since he started university and so they did not see each other as often as the sister would have wished. At the insistence of their parents, she still lived at home. "I thought I would see more of you on campus."

Byakuya nodded thoughtfully recognizing her disappointment. "We should plan to have lunch together."

Rukia smiled up at him. "That would be nice."

Byakuya's eyes softened towards her and he patted her on the head gently. "Get to class then." He nodded towards Orihime. "Inoue-san, don't forget to come by my room later to organize the floor social."

Orihime, initially confused, realized that Byakuya may want to discuss what happened and quietly nodded at him. Rukia, surprised that Byakuya did any organizing at all for the floor socials (she figured it was all Rangiku) waved at her brother as she and Orihime went to class.

As class was wrapping up and students were leaving, Rukia packed up slowly then turned to Orihime contemplatively.

"Orihime-chan." Rukia began. "Can we talk about what happened on Friday?"

Orihime's breath hitched but she turned to Rukia and nodded. "I'm really sorry for leaving without saying goodbye, Rukia-chan."

"N-not at all!" Rukia exclaimed as she reached out to hold Orihime's hands. "Rangiku told us what happened. I'm just thankful you're okay."

At those words, Orihime's demeanor darkened and her head hung low. "I-it's not-" she paused and took a deep breath. "I'm not okay." Looking up to see Rukia's concern, Orihime continued. "He's still following me. I don't know how he found me, but I saw him outside of my residence before class."

Rukia looked at Orihime fearful. "Did he confront you?"

Orihime shook her head. "I hid behind a tree… and your brother found me there having a panic attack. That's why he offered to walk me to class."

"Shit, Orihime-chan. I'm so sorry."

Orihime sighed deeply. "I-I don't know what to do, Rukia-chan. I left him over a year ago and thought I'd never see him again." She wrapped her arms around herself and began to fidget. "I-I don't know how to make him go away."

Rukia furrowed her brows when an idea struck her. "Have you tried issuing a restraining order, Orihime-chan?"

Orihime shook her head no.

Rukia nodded. "Not that I know anything about restraining orders, but it might work. Nii-san is actually studying for law school – he might be able to help."

Orihime was embarrassed at the thought of telling her sordid past to Byakuya, but she knew she needed help on this. After what happened Friday, Orihime was less confident about her ability to totally and completely reject Grimmjow. Maybe a restraining order would help.

After their talk, Orihime rushed to Psych 101, assuring Rukia that she would talk to Byakuya later that day. Orihime was late to class and just slipped into a seat near the back of the lecture hall.

Meanwhile, Tatsuki was up near the front with Ichigo and Ishida and had been texting Orihime repeatedly to ask her where she was. She kept checking the room worriedly, until Aizen threw a pointed look in her direction. She hadn't noticed but Ishida saw and lightly elbowed her to pay attention and turn front.

At the end of class, Orihime walked towards the front of the class to meet her friends, when a slightly panicked Tatsuki confronted her. "Orihime-chan! Didn't you see my texts?"

Orihime looked surprised. "Ah, sorry Tatsuki-chan. I wasn't looking at my phone."

Before Tatsuki could launch into a lecture on keeping her phone sound on at all times, she was interrupted by a voice behind them at the front of the room.

"Inoue-san."

Orihime looked up to see Tsukishima looking at her kindly. Tatsuki, Ichigo, and Ishida turned around and were surprised to see the man calling to Orihime so casually.

Tsukishima continued. "Do you have a minute, Inoue-san? I'd like to introduce you to Aizen-kyouju."

Orihime nodded and passed by her friends. "I'll catch up with you later! Go ahead without me."

Tatsuki was confused and watched silently as Orihime walked to the front of the classroom with Tsukishima escorting her closely. Ichigo scowled at the interaction and only Ishida, knowing that Orihime had missed her psych tutorial this morning, was empathetic to the situation.

"Why the hell is she so chummy with that guy?" Tatsuki mumbled under her breath.

"Tch." Ichigo replied.

Ishida sighed and pushed his glasses up his face. "I'm sure she has her reasons. Why don't we go ahead to the library?"

Tatsuki sighed again, looking back at her friend briefly before going with Ishida and Ichigo.

Up at the front of the lecture hall, Orihime stood by Tsukishima as he introduced her to Aizen.

"Aizen-kyouju, this is Inoue Orihime, the first-year student I mentioned to you earlier."

Orihime stood at attention as Aizen turned to her and smiled warmly. "Ah, yes. It's a pleasure to meet you Inoue-san."

"L-likewise, Aizen-kyouju. I've been enjoying your class so far!" She responded cheerfully.

Aizen chuckled lightly. "Thank you for that Inoue-san. It gives me the sincerest pleasure to know my students enjoy this class. I understand from Tsukishima-san that you're hoping to earn some extra credit by volunteering in my lab."

"Yes, sir."

"May I ask what your major is Inoue-san?"

"I'm currently in the nursing program but am hoping to switch into pre-med next semester."

"Pre-med? Are you hoping to become a psychiatrist, Inoue-san?"

Orihime smiled. "I'm, uh, not entirely sure what specialization I'd choose. I figure the first step is successfully switching majors."

Aizen nodded. "Well, working in my lab will certainly give you some good insight into what psychiatry practice could look like. And if you do a good job, I'd be happy to help along your process of switching majors."

Orihime's eyes widened. "R-really? That would be so wonderful, thank you Aizen-kyouju."

Aizen continued smiling. "Do you have time later today Inoue-san? You can come by and get acquainted with the facilities."

Orihime nodded enthusiastically and Aizen turned to Tsukishima. "Tsukishima-san, if you're free as well, I'd ask for you to escort Inoue-san to the lab and introduce her to Ulquiorra-san."

Tsukishima nodded. "Of course, Aizen-kyouju."

Aizen smiled and left the two.

Tsukishima and Orihime smiled at each other, both satisfied with the introduction. After agreeing to meet up near the lab after Orihime's classes, Orihime left the lecture hall and was surprised to see Tatsuki waiting for her.

"Tatsuki-chan! You didn't have to wait for me."

Tatsuki shrugged. "I wanted to."

They began walking towards the library in relative silence before Tatsuki broke it. "So, what was that all about? You're friends with the creepy guy from the bar now?"

"Tsukishima-san's not all bad. I, uh, missed my tutorial this morning and he offered to talk to Aizen-kyouju and see if I could make it up."

"Really?" Tatsuki scoffed. "And he's not going to ask you on a date in exchange for it?"

"What's that supposed to mean? You think he would only do this because he wants something from me?"

Tatsuki scoffed again. "Isn't that obvious?"

Orihime quieted and after a pause mumbled, "We're going on a date on Friday."

Tatsuki stopped in her tracks. "Seriously? You can't let him take advantage of you like that, Orihime-chan!"

Orihime turned to face her friend defiantly. "I'm not! The date is completely separate from him helping me out."

Tatsuki shook her head in disbelief. "You can't seriously believe that."

Orihime stood her ground. "Well, I do. Tsukishima-san has been nothing but kind to me and he's doing me a huge favour. I don't see anything wrong with us going on a date, and in fact, I'm really looking forward to it."

Tatsuki shook her head and began walking towards the library. Under her breath, she muttered, "You sure know how to pick 'em."

Orihime's face flushed as the quiet words stung like a slap in the face. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Tatsuki, realizing her own words, moved towards Orihime. "Shit, I didn't mean that, Orihime-chan. It's just - ", she sighed deeply, "I'm tired of seeing you get hurt and I'm trying really hard to keep you safe. We all are."

Orihime's face scrunched up in confusion. "We?"

Tatsuki sighed. "I… I told Ichigo, Ishida-kun, and Sado-kun about Grimmjow. I asked them to help me keep you safe."

Tatsuki's words launched Orihime into an emotional downward spiral. Orihime thought back to her interactions with each man and how they had each expressed warmth and kindness to her. Was it all a part of this effort to keep her safe? She had been so touched by each of their kindnesses, but Tatsuki's confession made her question if any of those interactions had been genuine. Did they really care about her at all, or was all this more like babysitting? No, worse than babysitting. She realized now that she was a damaged woman in their eyes who clearly inspired pity in the three men. And in Tatsuki. Orihime blinked back tears as she stared directly at Tatsuki, deep hurt reflected in her grey eyes. Tatsuki, who had been her only friend when she needed it, who had been the means of saving herself from her abuser, Tatsuki pitied her. Worse than pity, Tatsuki didn't even trust that Orihime could even take care of herself in romance or in anything. Tatsuki had lied to her. And she hadn't even protected her. The earlier appearance of Grimmjow at Himawari Hall was a stark reminder of that. It made Orihime cough out a bitter laugh.

"Keep me safe?" Orihime began. "Well, you really messed that up."

Tatsuki looked back at her in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Grimmjow found me, Tatsuki-chan. He was waiting outside Himawari Hall today."

Tatsuki moved towards her, concern in her eyes as Orihime turned away. "Orihime-chan, please, tell me. Did he see you? What did he say to you?"

Orihime scoffed as bitter tears fell. "I don't have to tell you. It's none of your business."

And with that, she turned away and ran from Tatsuki.

Elsewhere on campus, Grimmjow fumed as he paced around a room. The simple room was brightly lit, with chairs lining the perimeter and a desk with a receptionist at the front, near an open door leading to a hallway.

The receptionist looked nervous as Grimmjow continued to pace and grow more and more aggravated. She was at least thankful that there were no others in the waiting room to be disturbed by the blue-haired man.

Grimmjow's patience wore thin and he stalked to the receptionist. "Where the fuck is Aizen?"

The receptionist winced at the aggression in his voice. "A-as I said before, h-he's not currently in."

"So where is he?"

She winced again. "I-I'm so sorry. I don't know where he is."

Grimmjow slammed his fist down onto the desk and the woman quickly reacted. "P-please calm down. I-if you don't calm down, I'll have to call security."

Grimmjow glared at her, but before he could say or do anything else, a voice was heard by the open door. "Grimmjow-san?"

Grimmjow and the receptionist turned to see a pale and slight man standing there in a lab coat. The man had deep set emerald eyes and black medium-length hair.

Grimmjow eyed the man suspiciously. "You."

"If you're here to see Aizen-kyouju, he's not here." The other man said nonchalantly.

Grimmjow scowled. "He called me over an hour ago and told me to come here."

The other man considered this and then nodded. "I understand. Come with me."

Grimmjow scoffed and followed the other man out of the waiting room and through a set of locked doors that the other man had to swipe a keycard to get through.

The sign on the doors read: Authorized personnel only. Psychiatry ward.

A/N: It's been awhile, but I hope you're still reading and enjoying!

I'm a bit worried that I introduced too many characters, and yet I can't keep myself from adding more. *facepalm*

I definitely want to get to some more smut into this story, but 1) I'm a bit worried about writing it and 2) I'm trying to follow through on the story in a way that I feel makes sense.

If you've made it this far, please leave a review! Tell me what you like and what you don't like. It really helps me :)