Here goes... just a few chapters left... and The last one cannot be missed! LOL

"So my ugly little shinigami," Yoruichi went on, "we are going to put you through a rigorous test."

"Yeah, yeah. Sure, sure."

"One in which you are going to have to realize the need to transform back, not the want!"

"Uhhuh, you said that already."

"One in which you must discover the path between your heart and your soul!"

"Can we get on with this already!"

Yoruichi smiled a curled cruel smile that only a demon would wear. Her eyes shifted to the right where she knew Orihime was hiding, watching and listening.

Now was the time, and oh boy was she going to enjoy this...

*****

Orihime was inching around the corner of the rocks trying to get a better look at what was going on without making too much noise.

It sounded like Ichigo was about to do something really amazing! She wouldn't expect anything less from her incredible Kurosaki-kun! After all, he was the one who had found a way to bring down Aizen, saving Karakura town and most likely the world. She was so lucky and proud to have an incredible friend like him...

Orihime's train of thought fell into a little fantasy of Ichigo dressed as a prince fighting off hollows while winking at her.... when Yoruichi's loud voice snapped her back to reality.

"I will not accept failure from you no matter what challenge it is!" Yoruichi barked

As Ichigo's frustration reached a peak, it was his feline sensei's next words -- spoken so much more softly than before -- that stopped him cold as his eyes flew wide with fear...

"...Isn't that right Orihime?"

Orihime squeaked in surprise and stumbled out from her hiding place.

Ichigo didn't dare turn around. He reached out quickly with his senses and sure enough Orihime's reiatsu had crept up right behind him... No!...Was all he had time to think.

Ichigo spun around in time to make eye contact with Orihime. He vaguely heard a shout behind him, just as he was struck with a flash of white light from Yoruichi's demon magic. He saw Orihime's wide, surprised grey orbs staring right into his. He wanted to tell her to run, he wanted to tell Yoruichi to stop, he didn't want her to know he had betrayed her trust (especially after the wonderful time they had had last night), but he also knew there was nothing he could do.

Still looking into Orihime's eyes Ichigo felt himself shrinking - getting smaller and smaller, his bright red hair spreading across his body as he disappeared under a pile of clothes.

...

"He said he was ready." Yoruichi laughed to herself in a low sardonic whisper.

Orihime was still processing what she had just seen. This couldn't be real, was she dreaming again? She pinched herself and looked around again. No, she was definitely awake. She heard Yoruichi laughing in the background as a small red fox, the same color as Kurosaki-kun's beautiful hair, shyly climbed it way out of the pile of clothes and sat with its head hung low in shame.

"You are not dreaming girl."

All Orihime could do was nod her head.

"Our Ichigo has been a very bad boy lately... and I need your help to set him strait."

Orihime looked up, confusion in her eyes.

Yoruichi proceeded to explained all about his training towards animal transformations and why it was important he learn to accomplish them on his own. His first attempt was a half-assed disaster instigated by Kisuke -- when Orihime had come along and really messed things up...

"That's why it is also your responsibility now to help this idiot. He and Kisuke also apparently launched a misguided and stupid attempt to make you believe it was all a dream... and for that he must also pay the price. So together you are going to rectify this situation and help him complete his training."

Orihime had turned red and her hand flew over her mouth, her eyes starring down at the dirt.... It was real, it was all real!! Omg, omg, omg...

A moment later Yoruichi clapped her hands loudly. She knew she was loosing Orihime to her silly inner turmoil.

"This is no time for silliness Orihime!" She barked, though secretly enjoying the fallout of this little revelation. Serves the two of them right for giving off such unbearable waves of damn sexual tension! It was really making Kisuke difficult to deal with as it seemed to be rubbing off and making him extra frisky. It was just annoying!!

The flustered girl snapped to attention. She could tell Yoruichi was really annoyed and angry -- she wondered whether she'd get out of there in one piece.

Down on the ground Ichigo was swimming in misery.

This is not happening, this is not happening! Was all he had thought the entire time. His head had been bowed, giving off waves of shame and embarrassment, while Yoruichi revealed everything. He had never felt more ashamed of himself. He just hoped Orihime would understand things had happened so fast and that he was only trying to protect her and their friendship...

"So girl, here is your mission." Both teens perked up and looked anxiously at Yoruichi.

"You are to take this idiot home with you and keep him with you until he figures out how to transform on his own, back into a human."

Gagging noises came from the little fox on the ground -- WHAT??!!

"He cannot speak just like before because I felt it would be fitting punishment. However, unlike before he does have to ability to revert back on his own.

You must help this moron make the connection between his heart and soul. Only then can he discover the need to return. And knowing what a thick headed mongrel he is it's sure to take quite a while for him to figure it out! Hahaha!!" Yoruichi laughed manically in a truly terrifying fashion. You could almost see flashes of lightening coming out behind her.

Ichigo felt sick as he gazed upon the horror that was Yoruichi's evil side.

Orihime was feeling faint... This was all happening very fast. So everything had been real and now she was going to have to live with doggie Ichigo for as long as it took him to become human again?! How was she supposed to help him with that?? Why was this happening??

"Oh and don't worry about your shinigami duties. Matsumoto has graciously volunteered to cover your shifts until you accomplish your goal. She was most excited about the plan" Another crazy smile left the teens in a cold sweat.

It's a conspiracy!!! Ichigo thought wildly!

"And seeing as its summer vacation, your school won't be missing you will they?

As for the rules young Inoue..." Orihime gulped. "You are to treat him as you would any other animal. No taking him to other shinigami for help. You are to feed him, bathe him, and play with him just as a real pet until he figures out how to get back. Oh and until he does I think a nice pet name is in order, how about just Ichi, and I'll know if you're not calling him by the designated name." Yoruichi's eye suddenly narrowed as she saw Orihime balking at what she had just said. Some extra motivation was definitely in order.

"HOLD OUT YOUR HAND!" Yoruichi barked making Orihime jump ten feet in the air. She quickly complied.

She placed a plain black bracelet around the stunned redhead's wrist.

"Now, Try saying Kurosaki-kun."

"Kurosaki-kun -Ack!" -- she had been shocked! The thing was like a shock collar!

"Now try calling him Ichi."

Orihime was almost as red as when she had found Ichigo naked on top of her. This was mortifying, what an intimate pet name. She didn't think she could bring herself to call him Ichigo let alone something like Ichi. But Yoruichi was tapping her foot impatiently and he knew she had no choice.

The little fox looked up at his friend and Orihime looked down at the miniature furry Ichigo for a second, then down at her feet.

"Ichi." She whispered in her smallest voice.

Ichigo gulped. Ichi was something only his sisters ever called him, and even that annoyed him a little because of the high pitched way they yelled for him 'Ichi-nii!"...

But coming from Orihime, and without the -nii at the end... It sounded so damn sweet from her lips, it was almost unbearable! He blushed under his fur.

He didn't think he was going to be able to survive god knows how long in Orihime's apartment.

What horrible torture is this!? Ichigo thought desperately, sweating bullets on the ground. This isn't happening!

"Oh, but it is happening little Ichigo." The foxy Shinigami looked shocked and Yoruichi smiled again. "I am the only one was can understand what you are thinking. I'll be by to check on your progress in one week. Until then, Inoue please pick up our little friend and take him home."

Ichigo looked panicked and Orihime just stared at the little ball of red fur sitting a few feet away from her.

Then, something funny started to happen in her mind.

She knew looking at the little creature that it was indeed her Kurosaki-kun, her savior and her secret love; the one who had saved her and the world, her dearest friend. Tall, handsome and powerful... and yet looking at him in his current state... she couldn't help but think how friggin' adorable he was!!!

Some weird kind of excitement came bubbling out from -- well she had no idea where it was coming from -- but it almost felt like the first time she had laid eyes and the furry, cute little doggie thing!

She should be scared, she should be embarrassed, she should be worried about what her Kurosaki-kun would think about the arrangement, heck, she should probably be upset with Kurosaki-kun for lying to her -- but whether by some strange quirky magic or her own silly mind she just had the overpowering urge to scoop him up and pet him for hours, perhaps Sado-kun was rubbing off on her?... Looking at the shinigami turned furball, that bubbly silly feeling filled her up inside like a balloon.

She didn't understand how she was supposed to possibly help Ichigo make a connection between his heart and soul or whatever Yoruichi had said -- but maybe she could at least make sure he had fun in the mean time!

Maybe I could dress him up in little tiny shinigami robes! Would that help him turn back more quickly? No, I'll do what Yoruichi-san says and try not to overdo it... but I wonder if as a kitty Kurosaki-kun feels more playful or whether he can still scrunch up his eyebrows in his funny way...

And then Orihime giggled, and Ichigo knew he was screwed.

****

NEXT CHPT: Ichigo goes through Inoue bootcamp!