Chapter three: Meanwhile in the world of the living

Orihime had just gotten home form school. Things had finally gone back to normal after Ichigo had saved her from Aizen in Las Noches. But home didn't seem the same to her anymore, she felt in some ways that Karakura town was just a place that she used to know. But she didn't understand why, her memories of her time in Las Noches were fuzzy and hazy. She would never say this to anyone that a part of her wanted to go back to Las Noches even after all that had happened it was like a home to her and that scared her. She had told Ichigo that she thought that she had heard Aizen say something about a princess and some great plan of his to take down the soul society and that somehow Toshiro was involved. But Ichigo had told her not to worry and if something did happen he would stop Aizen right then and there. Orihime just hoped that he was right.

She opened the door to her house and walked in and sighed loudly. It was quit now that Toshiro and Rangiku had gone back to the soul society. She liked it when they were here, and she realized that they that been quit lately and normally by know they would her form them. Even Rukia and Renji had gone back without telling them much. She put her bag down on the table and walked out to the patio to get some air. It was a sunny day in Karakura town; normally Orihime liked these kind or days and would meet up with Tatsuki hang out for a while. Sitting down on the bench and then without warning Toshiro came running though looking like he had been though a battle. He looked like hell; he was beat up and dirty his captains uniform was turned to shreds.

"Damn it, were did he go" he yelled.

"Toshiro, what's going on" she ran up to him worried.

"Orihime" Tōshirō stopped in surprise.

"Your hurt; let me take a look at you" she said.

Toshiro smiled at the girl, even after all she had been though she was still happy.

"Thank you, but I'm fine and I need to find this guy; so, I got to go" he said.

"But you can't go after him like this" said Orihime

"All right fine" said Toshiro putting Hyōrinmaru away and fallowed her back into her house.

Siting down Toshiro sighed frustrated with himself.

Orihime sat down next to him and began to use her powers.

"Hay now don't beat yourself up to bad; you'll get him no problem" she smiled at him.

"I hope so, this guy is wanted for destroying two squad bunkers and leaving many Shinigami died because of it" he said still sounding angry.

"Do you want me to get Ichigo; it sounds like this guy is bad news'' she said.

"No" Toshiro snapped.

Orihime looked at him in shock.

"Sorry… "he said quickly "I didn't mean it like that, I just wanted to get him back for what he did; he managed to get squad five, my best friend is the Lieutenant of that squad and she barely managed to get out of there alive; so, it's a little personal'' Toshiro looked away blushing.

"Oh… I gotcha Toshiro, it fine I won't call Ichigo'' then her smile got even bigger "may I ask who this lieutenant is who is making blush is?"

"Ok, ok, her name is Momo Hinamori; I've known her since we were little, and we've been friends ever since" he said blushing harder.

"I see so you have feelings for this Momo, well that settles it; I'm going to help you two get together" she said.

"Orihime'' yelled Toshiro.

"What, who said that I can't do both and besides you didn't say no" she said.

"Oh no especially not that one; Ichigo would kill me if he found out that you were helping me find this guy; and I don't need any help in that dependent" said Toshiro.

"Please Toshiro, I want to help" said Orihime.

Tōshirō sighed once Orihime put her mind to something her mind could not be changed he just hoped he could keep her safe.

"So now that I'm up to date on everything and your wounds are healed let's get going" she said as spring up giving Tōshirō a big grin in the process.

"Yup" said Tōshirō in agreement and fallowed her out the door.

Toshiro told her about the last place where he had found the attacker and who he was. His name was Kiyoji Nakamura who is Shinigami even though no one knew who he was.

"This place is really creepy" said Orihime.

Tōshirō didn't answer her and walked over to stack of boxes in the corner of the alleyway his mind was on the battle that took place between him and Kiyoji. It seemed fresh like the battle between them had just ended. He started to growl and make fist with his hands looking directly at the smashed box at the bottom of the sack.

"Toshiro what's wrong" said Orihime.

But Tōshirō mind was still in the past, all he could hear Kiyoji toying with him about Momo; saying that the real reason that he destroyed squad five was to kill her and asking him what he going to do about and calling him lover boy in the process.

"Kiyoji I swear if you lay one finger on her I'll kill you and bring back just to kill you again" Tōshirō yelled into the boxes.

"Toshiro" Orihime said again rapping her arms around his right arm trying to get him to snap out of it.

Toshiro blinked in surprise realizing what was going.

"It's ok Orihime, … I guess Kiyoji is still have an effect on me" he said.

"what happened during your battle" said Orihime.

"He got under my skin, he knew that I had feelings for Momo and he used them against me and he got the upper hand" said Tōshirō.

"I'm sorry Toshiro, I didn't realize that Kiyoji was that big of a jerk" said Orihime.

"It's ok Orihime, thank you" said Toshiro forcing a smile on his lips even though he was still upset.

"Let's start looking for clues" she said trying to take his mind of things.

"Sure" said Tōshirō.

They started to look for anything that might help them track Kiyoji.

Toshiro frowned as picked up a small box that was different then the others opening it he saw a little note and a heart shaped locket. Opening the letter and began to read it; to my dearest Yuri, I wanted to give you this for your birthday. I hope you like it, Love Kiyoji. Toshiro gasped a what he was reading not believing it.

"Toshiro what did you find" said Orihime running over to where he was.

"Look" he said showing her the heart shaped locket and the letter.

"It looks like Kiyoji had a thing for this Yuri person" said Toshiro.

"What do you think it means" asked Orihime.

"To be honest I'm not sure" said Toshiro.

"Do you think that's why Kiyoji is trying to take down the Gotei because he's trying to avenge his love" said Orihime.

"Perhaps" said Toshiro.

"I guess I should thank you for finding that for me" said Kiyoji "But know I have to kill you".

"Get back Orihime, I'll take care of this" handing her the locket and the letter then he pulled out Hyōrinmaru.

"So, you're ready for round two Toshiro, it looks like one beating wasn't enough for you" said Kiyoji.

Toshiro growled "I'm not going to let you win not this time".

Then he charged at Kiyoji thrusting Hyōrinmaru at him. But Kiyoji just laughed and pulled out yokote kozuka and blacked the attack with ease.

"Oh, come on Toshiro you're a Captain of the Gotei 13 you can do better then that" said Kiyoji.

But Toshiro just ignored him and continued to attack without thinking. Orihime thought to herself "I've got do something or else Toshiro will be killed but what can I do".

"That's enough Kiyoji or I'll destroy the locket "she said holding it up to him.

"Those are some big words coming form a little girl" said Kiyoji.

Toshiro looked back at Orihime surprised at what she was doing.

"Orihime I said stand back I got this" said Toshiro.

"No Toshiro, you need my help; now Kiyoji drop your sword or else" she said.

Kiyoji laughed again "She right Toshiro you need her help there's no way some one like you can to defect me let alone survive".

Toshiro looked back and forth between the two of them not sure what to do.

"You better chose quickly we don't have all day" said Kiyoji. "You know what I'll make your decision for you; yokote kozuka, soul Reversion".

Then Tōshirō glowed and then as the glow went away Toshiro seemed to change. He held himself differently and his personality began to change as if he had become a different person.

Toshiro laughed "Well now you certainly have made an interesting chose Kiyoji, now that do you think we should do about the girl".

Orihime net her brow "what did he mean, what girl" she thought.

"So Orihime, what do want to do" Toshiro grinned at her.

A chill went down her spin, "Toshiro I'm not sure I understand what you're asking me".

"Oh, course you do dear or have you forgotten" said Yuri.

"There's no need to scare the poor girl love" said Kiyoji.

"Love" thought Orihime.

She turned and saw Toshiro looking at her with a big smirk on his face looking directly at her. Suddenly she felt were scared and she knew that was not the Toshiro she new and loved.

"What has Aizen done to you Toshiro" she said.

Toshiro laughed at her and said" Why nothing Orihime dear, the only thing that he has done is shown me the truth and it's not Toshiro my name is Yuri; now come along we have work to do".

Kiyoji's sword glowed and Orihime 's world went black.