Author's Notes: Thank you to my friend Rain and Thunder for her wonderful ideas.

Substitute Teacher

Orihime arrived in class and went straight over to where Uryu and Chad were. Uryu was, as usual, sitting at his desk while Chad stood behind him. The two were quietly talking as students stepped into the room. Orihime smiled at her two friends. She seemed a little too happy than normal. What no one knew was she was happy for her housemate in starting a job. She never did find out what his job was, but she didn't mind. At least Gin had one.

"Good morning," she called.

Uryu looked at her, noting her happy expression. "You seem a bit cheerful this morning."

"Yeah, a friend of mine got a job and starts today. I'm really happy for him," she answered.

"Him?" Chad blinked. "Someone we know?"

"Well…"

"Did you guys hear!?" Keigo blurted out as he ran into the room, and ran straight to Uryu's desk almost looked like he was about to crash into it but stopped two inches short of it.

"Hear what?" asked Tatsuki as she came up to them.

"Miss Ochi has been put on leave. We're getting a substitute for the next while. This is so exciting!" Keigo exclaimed.

"What's so exciting over having a substitute?" blinked Tatsuki. "It's not that big of a deal."

"Not a big deal!?" Keigo looked hurt, giving off the waterfall tears down his eyes. "How can you say that!? Having a substitute usually can get away with a lot more things."

"And get into trouble? Thanks, but no thanks," Tatsuki shook her head. "It's already bad enough as it is some of us already missed a lot of time from school because of that Aizen guy."

Keigo's excited mood dropped, remembering that fight all too well. That guy was absolutely creepy and the guy who was with him, he wasn't any better. Keigo could remember all too vividly what the second guy looked like. He had a very wide mocking grin and his eyes were slanted so much, one couldn't even tell what color his eyes were. The guy was all around scary. But he had no idea who was worse, the very strong guy or the grinning guy.

"Well he wasn't that bad," Orihime replied, referring to Gin. "I mean in a way you said he did protect you guys from Aizen when he tried to kill you."

Uryu pushed up his glasses. "Orihime, Gin Ichimaru was tried in the Soul Society. I don't know why you say he wasn't that bad. He helped hold you prisoner in Heuco Mundo."

"Only because he was trying to stop Aizen," Orihime defended the grinning man. "And he did protect our friends."

"I don't trust the guy," Uryu argued. "And I hope the Soul Society gave him a good punishment."

Orihime took a deep breath. Now she had a real problem on her hands. They were going to eventually find out Gin was actually in the Karakura Town living as a mortal.

"Take your seats everyone!" announced the Principle as he walked into the class. Everyone was quick to taking their seats quietly to await further instructions from the Principle. "As I'm sure many of you are aware of," he began once class was seated. "Miss Ochi has been given a leave absence. While she is a way, you will have another teacher."

Just then a tall man with strange silver hair walked in. For the moment he kept his face clearly hidden by the books he carried in his hands. He didn't want Ichigo to see him just yet. Orihime lightly gasped. The man's hair looked very familiar.

The Principle was quick to take his leave, letting Gin step over to the board, placing his books down on the desk quickly and turned his back to the class. He then wrote his name on the black board, keeping his name well hidden.

Ichigo wasn't paying attention to the man who walked in. He was sitting at his desk, leaning against his hand on the desk, looking bored. All those around him though were looking at the man's back, wondering who this guy was. Chad and Uryu were fully alert. This guy was very familiar to them as well. Keigo, Tatsuki, Chizuru and Mizuiro didn't seem to recognize him too much, yet.

"Good morning class," Gin began, not turning yet.

"That voice…" Uryu whispered, eyes going wide.

Orihime's heart began to speed up. This couldn't be his job, could it? He couldn't have gotten a job as their replacement teacher.

Gin then turned. "I'm Gin Ichimaru," he stated proudly giving his famous grin.

"Gin…" Orihime breathed, heart nearly stopping.

Both Chad and Uryu were quick to jump to their feet. All color drained from Keigo's face as Chizuru and Tatsuki's hearts began to race and they were frozen in terror. Mizuiro seemed the least affected and just gawked at the man. Ichigo though had the most noticeable reaction.

The very second his name was called out; Ichigo was quick to lift his head. His eyes nearly bugged out of his head as his legs went rubber. He pushed his hands onto his desk and made way to stand. But the force of the push, forced him out of his seat, crashing the chair to the floor. But he didn't seem at all phased by the fall. In a speed no one knew he had, he jumped to his feet, not taking too long for him to cover the distance to the front of the classroom, gripping Gin by the collar, slamming him against the wall.

"Ichigo!" Orihime gasped.

"Stop Ichigo!" Tatsuki yelled, jumping to her feet.

He ignored his friends as he glared at the man, ignoring gasps in the room. "You! How dare you show your face here? What the hell are you scheming this time?"

Gin casually pried his fingers lose, grin not faltering. He was expecting Ichigo's reaction to be quite the showstopper. "I assure you Mr. Kurosaki, I am scheming nothing. Now, is this really how you want to address your new teacher? People are watching after all."

Ichigo snarled. "I should just kill you," he seethed.

"Now, that wouldn't be a good idea. Besides, your friends are watching and you're scaring those who don't know me. You may want to take your seat before I send you to detention."

Both Chad and Uryu rushed to the front of the classroom to pry Ichigo off their teacher. "Ichigo," Uryu hissed quietly. "Stop making a damn scene."

"This man took Orihime!" Ichigo growled.

"No, that was Aizen and Ulquiorra," Gin stated. "I merely was a pawn in his scheme and protected her in the end."

With Chad and Uryu being so much stronger than Ichigo since the boy had lost all his spirit power, they were finally able to get Ichigo's hands off Gin and pulled him away from the man. Gin side stepped away from the three teens and recomposed himself.

"Perhaps it might be a good idea to take Mr. Kurosaki out to cool off. I'll let you three leave for the first class but be back by next period."

"You're not my teacher!" Ichigo snarled.

"I am for as long as Miss Ochi is away," Gin remarked as he stepped away further to address the rest of the class. His eyes fell upon Orihime. But with his eyes completely slanted, no one could tell he was looking at her. "I am sorry for that interruption," he replied as Uryu and Chad managed to pull their friend out into the hall. "It would seem our young student is having a lapse of judgement. I'm sure it probably has something to do with his mood as of late. No matter, for now we'll just let it pass."

"Umm…" Keigo stuttered. "Mr. Ichi…Ichimaru… is… this for real?"

Gin turned his attention to the stuttering teen and remembered him from when Aizen went after Ichigo's friends. "I'm afraid so. But there's nothing to worry. There is nothing here to harm any of you. That is a promise."

Orihime was completely in a state of shock. Gin was there in her classroom as her teacher now. That was his job. Now this was really messed up. Her own teacher was currently living with her. What would people say to that? She took a gulp of air as her eyes never left Gin's face.

"Is there something the matter?" Gin asked, as he approached her desk. "There's nothing on my face is there?"

Orihime nearly jumped out of her skin. "N-no sir," she squeaked, remembering to address him formally.

"That's good to know." He then leaned closer and whispered so only she could hear. "Sorry for startling you but you mustn't make too much of a scene." He then leaned back. "Do I make myself clear young lady?" The tone he used made the class think he was reprimanding her privately.

"Ye-yes sir," she squeaked again.

Grinning, he turned away and went back to the front of the class. "Well now, lets begin today's lesson."

/

Outside the class, the second Ichigo was out of the door, he pulled his arms away from his friends. He turned towards his friends, leaning against the wall of the windows, glaring at them. He had so much anger suddenly. Anger at Gin for being there. Anger at the Soul Society for allowing him to walk in the World of the Living. And anger at his friends for restraining him just now.

"What the hell!" he snapped.

"Ichigo," Uryu stated. "What do you think you could have accomplished in there?"

"You know who the hell he is!"

"Ichigo, how could we forget?" asked Chad. "He worked with Aizen who took Orihime."

"That's exactly my point!" Ichigo yelled. "That man in there is responsible for many deaths and kidnapping."

"We know," Uryu agreed. "But he's posing as our teacher. We can't just attack someone in front of an audience. Besides," he looked to Chad. "Did you sense any spiritual pressure from him?"

"No, I didn't. Either his gigai is blocking it like Rukia's did that time she was here before she was arrested or he lost his powers."

"I don't care if he's lost his powers or not. He doesn't belong here! What was the Soul Society thinking!?"

"Ichigo, if you would just think for a minute. You know Orihime resurrected him and she did say Central 46 was going to give him a life sentence. What if that life sentence is to live here with no powers?"

Ichigo opened his mouth to retort back something but then closed his mouth again. Uryu did have a point. He remembered Kisuke telling him once the Soul Society was going to strip him of his powers and make him live in the World of the Living but before they could strip his powers, he and Yoruichi fled to the World of the Living, hiding as mortals with a gigai that hid their spiritual pressure. The idea was possible Gin could have been given the same sentence but this time he wasn't able to flee before sentenced was passed down.

"So why the hell is he here then?" he demanded suddenly.

"That is something we'll have to ask him, but not in front of so many people," Uryu argued. "We'd have to wait until after class when there's no prying ears or eyes."

"And what do we do in the meantime?" asked Chad. "He has clearly stated he's our teacher."

"There's no way in hell I'm going to listen to that bastard for anything," Ichigo hissed.

"Ichigo, I really can't see the Soul Society sending him here if he's just going to try and kill us again and I said I can't sense anything from him," Uryu tried again.

Ichigo glared at his friend. "I'm never going to trust him."

"I'm not asking you to," Uryu replied. "But he was right on one thing, if you do keep lashing out like this, you will be placed in detention. And that's not good. You're still getting over from the loss of your powers."

"Do you think I don't know that?!" Ichigo yelled as he turned to stare out the window. "I can't see Hollows. I can't see Soul Reapers. I can't protect those I love anymore. So what good am I?"

Uryu shook his head. "Ichigo, you only became a Soul Reaper less than a year ago. Before meeting Rukia you saw ghosts but never did anything about it."

"And that man in there had been a Soul Reaper for years before betraying those under him and now look at him, he's here!"

"Is this more about Gin being here or your frustration of not being a Soul Reaper anymore?"

Ichigo turned and glared at the Quincy. "Both. That bastard is part of the reason I lost my powers in the first place. He could have stopped Aizen at any time before he became too powerful, but didn't. He could have stopped Orihime from being taken to Heuco Mundo, but he didn't."

"You know," Chad began. "With him here, it would be a good way to keep an eye on him. Myself, Uryu and Orihime have active powers."

Ichigo gave his tall friend a sideways glance, but remained silent.

"Chad has a point," Uryu agreed. "With him here, we can keep an eye on him to be sure he's not doing anything stupid. I'm sure one wrong move and the Soul Society would be on him faster than a pack of wolves."

Ichigo turned and regarded his friends. "Never thought of it like that," he answered a little less aggressive.

"Perhaps we should return to class and figure out what his angle is," Uryu offered. "At the very least Orihime is in that room with him in there too. Chad and I are the only ones who can protect her from him."

Ichigo's brows furrowed. "I'm not leaving her alone with that bastard!" He pushed himself away from the window, making his way past his friends and back into class.

Gin was in the middle of speaking to the class when the door opened, disrupting his preaching. For several seconds Gin and Ichigo stared at one another. Well more Ichigo glared and Gin just grinned.

"I take it you're feeling better?" Gin asked.

Uryu and Chad stepped up behind Ichigo both ready to grab the teen's arm if the young man tried to attack the former Soul Reaper again.

Ichigo remained silent for several more seconds before giving the man a snort and moved back to his desk without a single word. Both Chad and Uryu gave a silent sigh of relief and moved back to their desks.

Gin watched the three until they were all sitting and then went back to his lesson, knowing full well Ichigo was now watching him like a hawk, waiting to pounce at the first opening Gin would drop his guard. Gin's grin widened, knowing that was not going to happen.

/

When lunch finally arrived, Gin was quick to excuse himself before Ichigo could get out of his seat to confront the man. Gin was going to allow the teen to corner him but wanted to wait until after school. Ichigo snarled at Gin's retreating back but stayed where he was. He would get his answers.

The second Gin was gone, Ichigo turned to Orihime. "Orihime, you ok?"

Orihime blinked, confused by the question. "Yeah, why do you ask?"

"That bastard will not touch you again," he stated.

Keigo and Tatsuki both blinked, confused by the statement.

"Ichigo, why wouldn't Orihime be ok?" asked Keigo.

"That bastard helped capture Orihime," Ichigo hissed. "And I will not allow him to harm her."

"Ichigo, we all know that already," Tatsuki said. "But we also know Orihime brought him back to life. We were all there and watched her do it."

Orihime remained where she was as she pulled out her lunch, which was leftovers from last night's supper Gin cooked for her.

"What is that!?" Chizuru blinked as she came up behind Orihime, getting ready to hug her from behind. With Tatsuki distracted she probably had a perfect opportunity to grab her girl. But seeing Orihime's lunch, threw her for a loop. "You don't normally have something like that for lunch."

Everyone turned to Orihime and got a good look at her lunch. "Wait! Where's the creepy food?!" Tatsuki gasped.

Orihime's eyes grew huge before she gave a nervous giggle. "Well you… see… an old… friend of the family… stopped by last night… and well… made me supper… so I took some with me… today for lunch…"

"Why haven't I heard of this friend before?" asked Ichigo, looking suspicious at her.

"Well…" she paused giving another nervous giggled. "They haven't been around for years and decided to look me up and found me," she replied quickly.

Again those around her blinked, confused. Why would she answer it so fast and why was she so nervous all of a sudden. Ichigo's eyes narrowed. Orihime was holding something back. But knowing her, he knew she wouldn't actually say the truth. Now he had something to try and figure out by the end of the day. First Gin shows up and now Orihime acting very jumpy, something wasn't right.

"What is that?" asked Tatsuki, now looking Orihime's lunch.

"Oh, its chicken with mushrooms," Orihime answered. An idea suddenly came to mind. "But then I added some sweet chilli sauce and spiced it up with some cinnamon," she bull faced lied.

Tatsuki, Keigo and Chizuru suddenly gave a disgusted look. "How can you eat stuff like that?" asked Tatsuki.

"That's my Orihime for you!" Chizuru threw her arms around the girl, catching her enormous breasts in her hug. "She's so adorable when she's like this."

"Ahh!" Orihime gasped.

"Get off her you idiot!" Tatsuki nailed her in the face, sending the unfortunate girl across the room.

Orihime cringed at the sound of her lesbian friend hitting the wall. She swiftly turned to the now injured teen. "So sorry about that!" she squeaked.

"Why do you apologize for Tatsuki?" asked Uryu, pushing his glasses up. "You know she does it all the time."

Orihime shrugged and began to eat her 'ordinary' lunch that she lied about on what was in it besides mushrooms, chicken and rice. She just barely dodged the bullet of that one. She never thought it would be very awkward to take some of Gin's cooking to school for lunch. Then again she had no idea he was about to be her teacher either.

For the first time in months, Ichigo remained in the classroom and quietly ate his lunch, listening to his friends' mindless chatter. He was damned well determined to not see any harm come to Orihime now that Gin was there. The former Soul Reaper wasn't someone to trust. But also he had not bought Orihime's story of what she had in her lunch. He could plainly see there didn't seem to be any evidence of cinnamon or sweet chilli sauce in her food.

Soon enough lunch was over and Gin returned to the classroom to continue his teachings of other classes. The rest of the day was uneventful to any more sudden reactions. Ichigo remained silent but never dropped his guard or glare at the man in the front of the class. He couldn't figure out what the man's angle was and he spent the entire day trying to figure it out.

Finally the final bell rang, ending the day's classes.

"That's all for today." Gin announced, grin widening. "For your homework I want you to write a 700 page essay, read chapters 4-8 in your text books, do math problems on page 12 and 13, and finish up that paper on theories and testaments."

Keigo's jaw dropped, along with most of the class as well. It was completely silent until Keigo was the first to get over it and blurt out. "That much, but…. but how are we supposed to finish all of that in one night?" Waterfall tears began to wash down his face from shock.

Orihime gasped in near horror, wondering if that was one of his moments to tease. She knew he loved to tease and freak people out.

"Then I suggest you hurry home and get started then shouldn't you?" Gin chuckled.

"This really is…" Uryu began; getting the feeling Gin was pulling something.

"Just a joke." Gin finished for him. "Actually just read over the current chapter and answer the study questions at the end. …Dismissed."

Everyone in the class gave a huge sigh of relief; now seeing the man was just pulling their leg. Ichigo snarled as he began to gather his books. "Figures, he would do something like that," he hissed under his breath.

Mizuiro stood and went to his friend Keigo who had collapsed on the floor from Gin's joke. "You know, you can get up now. Mr. Ichimaru was just yanking our chain."

Keigo's mouth was hanging open quivering in a state of shock.

"You keep lying on the floor people will think you're a doormat," Mizuiro added before walking over his friend and started to leave the classroom.

Ichigo slowly lifted himself from the desk, slowly making his way to the door. He was going to be the last one out the door so he could stop and demand answers from Gin. Uryu and Chad both had the same idea as well. They were just as curious as Ichigo was.

Orihime wasn't sure what to do. She didn't want to leave Gin alone knowing Ichigo was very upset. It had not gone unnoticed by her on how Ichigo glared at Gin all day. She thought perhaps she should remain behind to be sure nothing bad happened. Taking a step back, Orihime made her way to the back of the classroom so not to be noticed. She knew Ichigo wanted to do this alone, but she couldn't get the shaky feeling he was going to do something.

Feeling no one else was now in the classroom, besides himself, Chad and Uryu, Ichigo was quick to change directions and snap his attention to Gin. He was quick to drop his books and end up straight in the tall man's face again, grabbing him once again by the collar.

"What the hell are you doing here!?" he demanded.

"What, no pleasantries first?" Gin mocked. He brought his hands up in defence. "You really need to chill out more. This isn't becoming of you."

"Cut the crap, Gin!" Ichigo snapped. "I want to know what the hell you're doing here in my school in that gigai!"

"It's hard to let the man speak if you're nearly choking him," Uryu remarked.

Ichigo hissed and removed his hands off the man's clothes, allowing him to once again straighten his shirt up. Not once did Gin's grin fade.

"Now answer the damn question, damn it!" Ichigo demanded once again.

"Would you believe me if I told you this is my punishment?" Gin remarked.

"What do you mean your punishment?" asked Uryu. "The last time we heard anything about you, Central 46 had you imprisoned in Squad 4 for your injuries."

"I was." Gin looked to the Quincy. "I was held in Squad 4 until just recently when I was brought forth to the new Central 46 for sentencing. You already all knew I was getting a life sentence."

Ichigo stood with his fists clenched. Gin was beating around the bush and he knew it. This was something he knew about this man from Rukia. Gin loved to tease and drag things on. "Get to the damn point!"

"I'm forever forced in this gigai with no spiritual pressure. They've stripped my powers from me."

"You have no spiritual pressure?" blinked Uryu. "It's not just the gigai hiding it?"

Gin shook his head. "None. I was knocked unconscious and woke here in Karakura Town to fend for myself in anyway I can just last week."

"Then you've been living on the streets then?" asked Chad.

"Not quite," Gin mocked. "I have been staying with a young lady."

Patience was wearing thin on Ichigo as his eyes began to crease in anger. Gin was now toying with them, just like he did when the two fought in the fake Karakura Town.

Gin saw Ichigo was losing his patience and yet he couldn't stop himself from pouring my fuel to the fire. "This young lady has burnt orange hair and is quite attractive looking. She's very petite and even is a bit busty for her size."

Burnt orange hair… that sounded a lot like Orihime.

Orihime gasped as she began to make her way to the front of the classroom. She could feel Ichigo's anger was rising. She was upset that Ichigo was about to find out Gin was staying with her. She saw through Gin's teasing.

"You don't mean…" Uryu gasped, not wanting to say the name. From the corner of his eye he saw Orihime approach them. He had no idea she was still there in the room.

"Did I mention she has strange taste in foods? Always loving to put something sweet in her food."

"Orihime?" Ichigo's eyes widened. "You're staying with Orihime!? You bastard!" He lunged forward quicker than Uryu and Chad could try and grab for his arms to stop him.

"Ichigo!" Uryu yelled.

"I'm going to kill you!"

Orihime ran faster than she was known to, suddenly appearing to stand between Gin and Ichigo. "STOP ICHIGO!" she shouted. She had her arms out to the sides, standing directly in front of Gin.

Ichigo managed to stop before crashing into Orihime. "Orihime! Get the hell out of the way!"

"No!" she insisted. "I will not let you attack Gin like this!"

"So it's true! He is staying with you!" Ichigo felt like he was just slapped in the face. Uryu and Chad were stunned into silence, not like Chad often had much to say anyway.

"Yes," she admitted. "He's been nothing but kind to me."

"How can you say that!? He kidnapped you!"

"Actually that wasn't me," Gin defended, surprised Orihime actually got between them. He knew she was in the room the entire time and it would appear he was the only one who knew until now.

Ichigo glared at him once again. "I wasn't talking to you. You worked with Aizen, you are just as guilty."

"Ichigo! Stop!" Orihime ordered again. "Gin was not the one who kidnapped me and you know that. It was Ulquiorra who did it. Gin actually worked on to protect me while I was in Hueco Mundo. He hated to see me there."

"But Orihime," Uryu breathed, finally finding his voice. "He was the enemy."

"So?! People can change, can't they!?" she defended. "He's lost everything! His home, his pride, his power. He has nothing. He even kept me company on Christmas Day when Tatsuki couldn't come over like she often does. He even cooked me dinner a few times. He's someone to talk to."

"So you lied in what you had for lunch then." Uryu finally put two and two together.

Ichigo's eyes widened, eyes moving back to Gin. "You… cook…"

Gin shrugged. "Being a Captain wasn't my only strong suit you know," he teased. "I do have other talents."

"I bet you do," Ichigo sneered. He looked down to Orihime again. "How can you stand here and defend him? You even brought him back to life."

Orihime wasn't sure how to answer that as she was still questioning herself on that same question. Why was she defending him? Tears suddenly surfaced. "Do you know how hard it's been living on my own for the last three years without someone to talk to at home?"

Ever since Rangiku and Toshiro stayed with her, it forced her to face a reality she had hidden for so long. She was always alone. Going to school was always a joy as it meant she had people to do talk to but at home, an empty home, was like a prison. When the battle with the Arrancars was over, she was once again forced back to her old living ways with no one to talk to at night other than Tatsuki every now and then for the evening.

All anger suddenly drained from Ichigo's face as he saw the tears. He hated seeing people cry. His fists unclenched as he felt guilt enter his heart. "Orihime…" he breathed quietly.

Just her name being said from his lips, she felt her heart plummet. Her arms lowered to her sides as she clenched them. "I'm sorry…"

Before anyone could react she was quick to turn a way, rushing out of the classroom as more tears fell, splashing onto Ichigo's hand as she whizzed by him. She had admitted something she never wanted any of her friends to know.

"Now, that wasn't very nice," Gin replied, but was he saying that to Ichigo hurting Orihime's feelings or Orihime leaving so abruptly?

Ichigo was left there, stunned, standing like he was a deer caught in the headlights. Uryu and Chad looked at one another not sure if either should chase after her or not. Only problem was Orihime left her coat and books behind in the classroom, at her desk.

Ichigo soon turned, realizing he had hurt Orihime. He went to move to chase after her when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"I think you did enough damage for one day," Gin replied. With that he stepped away from the teen, went over to Orihime's desk, grabbing her things and left the classroom, leaving the three male teens stunned on what to do next.

Ichigo was once again frozen in place. Not because of Gin touching him, but of what Gin said and how. There was no mockery or teasing in the man's voice. His voice was downright serious and deep. If Ichigo had looked up, he would have noticed the grin was gone from and was left with a scowl instead.

/

Shivering, Orihime was instantly regretting in running out of the classroom but she couldn't help it. Ichigo had hurt her for the second time that week and she couldn't stand it any longer. She had to get out of there. She ran through the halls, straight outside to a bench relieved of snow. She then sat there and began to freeze, wishing she didn't do it. Her teeth began to chatter, as her tears were quick to dry up from the chill.

Suddenly from out of nowhere, she felt something touch the back of her shoulders. She looked up only to see Gin's smiling face looking down at her.

"I think you may need this," he stated making sure her coat was secure around her shoulders.

"Gin…" she shivered. She was quick to wrap her arms into her coat, wrapping it around herself to try and get warm. "So cold…"

"Who wouldn't be, sitting here in the cold with nothing but regular clothes," he remarked. He put an arm around her to try and warm her up faster. She might have only been outside a few minutes, but a few minutes is all one needed to end up being sick.

She felt some warmth reach her through her coat from his body beat. "Thank you…"

He gave her a genuine smile of concern. "You're welcome. I couldn't just let my hostess freeze to death out here. Besides I'm your teacher now, I can't just let you walk out into the cold without your things."

She looked up at him and nearly felt herself wanting to blush. Even if she did blush, the pink hue on her cheeks from the cold hid it very well. "About that…" she paused. "Why didn't you tell me last night?"

"I wanted to leave it as a surprise," he admitted. "Although I knew Ichigo was going to cause such a scene, I wasn't expecting how the confrontation turned out. For someone who has no spiritual power still can get some speed. Perhaps it was all his training with Kisuke, Yoruichi and even his own Zanpakuto."

She lowered her head. "Why is Ichigo so angry?" she wondered aloud. "He's not usually like that."

"I'm not going to punish him, if that's what you're thinking. I'm sure I can handle Ichigo. He's just as weak as me with spirit power."

She was still completely baffled he was now her teacher and wasn't sure how to bring up her feelings about the idea of her now living with her teacher. Would people think he would play favorites if they knew?

He suddenly removed his arm from around her shoulders and slapped both hands to his legs. "Well we can't really sit around here all night. We have to get home and start supper. And you know I wouldn't mind tasting your cooking again."

The mention of food slightly brought Orihime out of her depression. She stood, giving him a smile. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt. And I do have homework too."

He gave her his famous grin and the two left the schoolyard and made their way towards her apartment where it was a lot warmer. Gin wanted to place his arm around her again but thought better of it since it was highly illegal for a teacher and student to have any sort of relationship other than a professional one. But then again the girl was pretty cold, but he still fought against doing it. He really didn't want another run in with Ichigo while on the streets. He had to let the teen calm down.

Revised July 25, 2016