A/N: If you do not like the plot or character plot, then don't read the fic.

SUMMARY: Orihime Inoue: An 18 year old high-school student has a crush. On her English teacher. Mr Ichigo Kurosaki has been dubbed the sexiest teacher to ever work at Karakura Senior School. He is also battling some highly immoral feelings for a certain pumpkin-haired student. During her walk to school, Orihime was attacked by Nnoitra Gilga, a former comrade of Ichigo's in his teen years. As we learn Ichigo's dark past, we also learn that he will protect Orihime. Will Orihime let him? Will his demons be exorcised by this orange-haired student?

WORD COUNT: 1,672

RATING: M for very dark themes and sexual content.

DISCLAIMER: All is owned by Kubo-sensei.

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jubulicious: Yeah, I know. It's because at first it was going to be a One-Shot, and then I changed, but I may have put too much content into the chapter, but I have left out a lot of vital information. So that's to be soon revealed.

CHAPTER 3:

DIFFERENCE OF OPINION

*ORIHIME'S P.O.V*

My eyes open slowly, adjusting to the harsh fluorescent light.

As my eyesight clears, I turn my head slightly to see that Mr Kurosaki is in the armchair beside my bed, sleeping peacefully. His hair shaggy and he has a dark orange five o'clock shadow growing on the lower half of his handsome face. He is beautiful in his own masculine way. My eyes stray down to see his large hand gently holding mine. My heart constricts with fear of a male touching me, but it slowly melts away as I tell myself that it's Mr Kurosaki and he won't hurt me. I softly and gently wrap my fingers around his, intertwining them together. It was such a soft gesture, I didn't notice that he had opened his eyes.

"Miss Inoue. ." His deep voice croaky from sleep.

"Mr Kurosaki. . .why are you here?" I ask softly, already knowing why, but for some reason, I want to hear him say it.

"I waited for you to wake. I wanted to be the first one to see you." He says softly, his chocolate brown eyes boring holes into mine, his dark eyelashes framing them delicately.

There it is. He is looking after me. He stayed with me, just like I wished. "W-why is that?" I ask, my voice trembling softly. Apart from the dark feelings festering inside me, a spark of hope glimmers gently inside my chest.

"To apologise for being too late." Mr Kurosaki falls to his knees in front of me, bowing his head so I can't see his expression. My eyes widen as shock freezes me in place. "There are no words to express just how sorry I am. If I had been a few minutes earlier, you wouldn't be here, Miss Inoue. You would be in shock yes, but you would be safe, unharmed. Not like this." Mr Kurosaki's voice breaks near the end of his apology. All I can do is just lay there and stare at my strong, brave teacher. He risked his life to protect me and he's apologising for it? If it weren't for Mr Kurosaki, I'd probably be dead by now.

It's true, that I am horrified and distrustful among others now. I can't let strangers or even friends touch me, apart from Tatsuki and apparently Mr Kurosaki. I am haunted by that beast's terrible reign over my weakness, even if it wasn't long; he did irreparable damage to my heart, body and soul that would take years to heal. Even I knew that. But none of this is Mr Kurosaki's fault.

Completely bypassing the strict laws of teacher-student fraternizing (which I am sure does not count in this instance), I slip out of the hospital bed, ignoring my protesting bones and muscles and I fall to my knees opposite Mr Kurosaki and wrap my arms around his shoulders, pulling him close and I feel his sharp intake of breath. He's surprised.

"Mr Kurosaki, none of this is your fault. You risked your life to save mine, and I'm only a student in your class but you protected me. If it wasn't for you, I'd be dead somewhere, my body lost and unable to be found. While I have my own demons to wrestle with, and as I am sure you do as well," Mr Kurosaki stiffens ever so slightly in my arms at my words but I push on, "I wish you no ill will or harmful treatment. How can I, when you did everything in your power to make sure that I was safe and you came to make sure I was okay that you slept here. What more can I ask of my saviour?" I ask rhetorically but I know it has the desired affect among him.

Mr Kurosaki's arms slowly wrap around my waist, testing my limits. I stiffen again and he stops. 'It's not him, it's Mr Kurosaki. It's not him, it's Mr Kurosaki. It's not him, it's Mr Kurosaki.' I repeat the mantra mentally over and over again and soon enough, I slowly relax in his arms, and we hug, kneeling on the floor.

"Miss Inoue. . ." Mr Kurosaki whispers, his body shuddering with every breath he takes.

"Thank you, Mr Kurosaki," I whisper, knowing this will drive the point home, "for saving me." I hug him tighter and he rests his head on my shoulder as he silently releases all of the pent up sorrow he had been harboring from my demise.

(...)

*ICHIGO'S P.O.V*

I finish up the class on a good note. After everything that's happened, every single student has visited Miss Inoue in the hospital. There had only been one incident when one of the boys touched her and she screamed bloody murder. Thankfully Tatsuki had been there to calm her down. Miss Inoue cannot bear to be touched by others apart from Tatsuki and myself.

After our moment together in her hospital room, Miss Inoue and I had grown to be more than teacher and student. We grew to be more like friends. Of course, I am still her teacher, first and foremost. I can't get too attached to her otherwise I have to leave the school in order not to jeopardize my life and add to my adolescent criminal record. But we are close and I do occasionally call over to her apartment to see if she is doing alright.

I have employed Yuzu, my little sister, to look after Miss Inoue. Yuzu is an at-home nurse. Meaning she cares for patients that have undergone severe mental trauma and she watches over them by living with them whenever they need. She also has finished her degree in Psychology and acts as a counsellor. She is probably doing more for Miss Inoue than I, but I like knowing that my student is progressing somewhat.

I drive to Miss Inoue's apartment and do the special sequence of knocks, alerting Miss Inoue and Yuzu that it's me. I hear scuffling of feet and the door opening gently, to see Yuzu's head stick out from the opened space. "Hey, Ichigo! Orihime's at the dinner table, we were just about to have dinner. Come in." Yuzu's warm face smiles up at me, my lips turn up at her smile in response, just like they always had.

I step into the small apartment to see Orihime at the table, slathering wasabi and red-bean paste on her ramen. No doubt Yuzu was cooking.

"Ahh~ Mr Kurosaki! I wasn't expecting you today." Miss Inoue stands and looks up at me with a sweet smile, although she keeps her distance, still apprehensive about the male species. I don't blame her one bit.

"I've just come to see how you are doing. I brought you some work, to keep you occupied so you're not too bored. It's not just my work, it's from your other subjects as well." I say, watching her lips upturn in a smile as she takes the stack of papers from me.

"Thank you, I have been quite bored, so this should be just fine." Miss Inoue said.

"Okay then, I better be off. I have other matters to attend to also. I guess I'll come back sometime during the week to check on you." I say, seeing the look of apprehension cross her face, the seeds of doubt he placed no doubt sprouting and becoming weeds in her mind, but then her expression smooths out in a picture of serenity. I know better.

"Okay, Mr Kurosaki! Thank you!" When Miss Inoue turns her face to the side, I catch a glimpse of the cut inflicted by Nnoitra. I wonder if that's why she refuses to go outside or come to school. To preserve some dignity in herself by waiting for the physical wounds to heal before she faces the outside world. But in here. . .she's safe, somewhat protected by the cruelties of society. Sheltered.

I bow to her, taking my leave and I see Yuzu on my way out, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, she pushes a large bowl of ramen in my hands. "Here, take this." Yuzu grins, her eyes sparkling with victory.

I just sigh and shake my head. I learned a long time ago not to fight with her when it comes to giving food. I open the door and step out, shutting it behind me, and I walk to my car, driving off.

Only one thing occupies my thoughts.

Miss Inoue's real state and why she's hiding it from all of us.