I would like to thank everyone who's reading this story, I hope you like it so far :)
Thanks to those who put this on their favourite list as well as those who added them on their story alerts: Sinoo, Headoverheels4anime2011, porcelainsnow, tellie, war90, butterfliesinspring,Fumei Zeus, Zanbandia and Otepbunni.
Special thanks go out to those who took the time to review: tellie, Sinoo, war90, nypsy, Headoverheels4anime2011, liferscove2118 and Otepbunni.
This chapter is dedicated to the above people, especially Headoverheels4anime2011, we really don't want her jumping off Mt Everest!
Well on to the next chapter…
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach
Chapter 3
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When Renji had gotten back to his squads barracks, all he could think about was her… He was sitting at his desk, trying to get this wretched paper work out of the way but he couldn't, all he kept thinking about was how he had come across her after all this time. He knew there would be a few people that would want to know about this, but right now he really didn't feel like letting anyone know.
That night, as he lay in bed, he couldn't help but think of her and their interaction today, from the strange meeting, the walk to her home, their conversation and her heavenly biscuits and last but not least, her radiant smile that had made his day. Then his thoughts drifted to the feeling that roamed through his body when he had touched her…
For the life of him, he couldn't explain it. It was like a bolt of electricity flowing through him, which left him with a tingling sensation all over his body. Not to mention that every time he had seen her smile, he felt as if the world was a better place, as if he wanted to be in her presence all the time.
He knew the type of person Orihime was, not everything about her, but just enough to know that Kurosaki was an idiot for not snagging what was staring him blatantly in the face. The way she had looked standing there on the porch was a vision he could not expel from his mind, with this thought, Renji fell into a peaceful sleep, something he hadn't properly had in five years…
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As Orihime got ready for bed, she couldn't help but smile at the memory of the day. She remembered his voice and his presence and couldn't help but wonder what he looked like. She was not a vain person but she would of really have liked to put a face to the overbearing but soft voice. She still couldn't get over the fact that a Taicho had been in her house, drinking her tea none the less!
He had also walked her home and carried her packages! It made her swoon to think that he was such a gentleman. However she couldn't help but wonder what he would be doing in Inuzuri. She had heard from the others that there had been a Captain walking around the district once a while.
No one really mentioned his name or what he looked like and she never asked, thinking that most captains or people from Seireitei probably had an air about themselves. But he was nothing like that, he seemed so genuine, and the way he said her name was as if he had known her for a long time instead of just meeting her.
She pulled up the blankets under her chin and snuggled in, trying to gain warmth, winter was approaching so the cold nights were going to be a regular. She smiled, thinking about how excited he had gotten at the taste of her biscuits, it was as if he was a kid again, nothing of the behavior of a captain! She liked that moment… As she drifted to sleep, she wondered if she would ever meet him again…
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It had been a month since the last time he had seen Orihime, he didn't sway away from his usual routine, that being going to Inuzuri once a month, people may become suspicious, and he didn't want them knowing about Orihime just yet. However, that hadn't stopped him from going back and forth over the decision to just forget all of them and go and see her.
Ever since that day, he couldn't stop thinking about her, he wanted to see that smile again, he wanted to experience that feeling again and he knew she would be the only source. He also wanted to know how she was doing, if she needed anything and if she was being treated okay.
Renji was no fool, he noticed at how the men looked at Orihime that day at the market but due to him being at her side, their gazes were cut short. He didn't know how he had managed to refrain from visiting the district earlier, because right now he was searching for a flash of auburn hair as he walked through the market.
As he passed an alley way, he heard a soft bout of giggles float up to him. He turned, shadowing himself with the wall to watch the scene before him.
Orihime was perched on a wooden crate as the joyful sounds of the kids surrounding her embraced the air around them. They seemed really happy to see her and she smiled towards them. She held a brown paper bag in her lap, and she spoke to them in that beautiful voice of hers. Wait, beautiful? What in damnation was happening to him…?
"Ok everybody, you know the drill, Akio, you're up first and then everybody behind him." She smiled.
He heard the awws and ahhs as the smallest kid of the group smiled gleefully and went to stand in front of Orihime.
"Hey! Don't 'aww' me!" She laughed, "There's plenty for all of you!"
They all 'hoorayed' with a burst of excitement. Renji watched as Orihime pulled out two muffins from the bag and held it in front of her for the little boy, called Akio, to take. The boy, with short straight brown hair, took the muffins in his hand and then leaned forward to tug on Orihime's hair.
As she drooped forward, he stood on his tip toes and pecked her on her cheek, whispering, "Arigatou Orihime-Chan". To which Orihime gave him a blinding smile as he turned to sit beside her, while eating his share. She went on to give the rest of the group what was left in the bag as all the kids thanked her and sat around her as she chatted merrily with them.
Renji's heart began to tighten, he couldn't explain the feelings he felt right now. This woman was so selfless, she brought brightness and happiness into all the lives she touched. The feeling hit him stronger because he too was once one of those kids in this alleyway and if they had had someone like Orihime then, maybe things would have been different.
She was truly amazing and he couldn't stop the genuine smile that graced his mouth as he looked at her. She was also trying to make ends meet, by what he had seen at her house, it looked like she just made enough to get by, but here she was feeding these kids, street rats what most people called them, without asking for anything in return and they seemed to love her.
She really didn't know how happy she probably made these kids. Right now he felt the overwhelming feeling to protect her, keep her safe from all the troubles she faced, all the despair she had encountered years ago, even though she knew nothing of it. He wanted to help her just as she was helping those kids.
He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't notice a group of men approaching from the other end. When some of the kids saw this, they ran, while a few stood their ground. Renji wanted to step in but decided to see how things played out before he did, he was on high alert so he would stop them if they tried anything threatening.
"Well, well, well… What do we have here…? A bunch of dirty little brats and the orange haired bitch. And I see she's giving out food, well we'll just have to confiscate them now won't we." The supposed leader sneered as his two goons behind him sniggered.
"L-Look, we don't want any trouble, if you want, I can bring you back more food, just-" Orihime was cut short as the leader of the goons bellowed, "Shut the fuck up! I don't remember telling you to speak you tramp!" And he walked towards her.
Renji was beyond furious, he wanted to rip that dickhead a new asshole for talking to Orihime like that! He braced his hand on the hilt off Zabimaru as he was about to shunpo in front of the bastard and beat him to Hueco Mundo when he stopped in his tracks and stared wide eyed as the little kid called Akio, boldly jumped in front of Orihime and screamed, "Leave Orihime-chan alone!" spreading his hands wide to block them from coming near her. Renji grinned at this, he had to give it to him, the boy had courage.
"No Akio! Get behind me, I'll handle this!" Orihime said, while grabbing onto the boys shoulder and pushing him behind her as he protested.
"Well I guess I'll just have to take my frustrations out on this little bitch for the kid's insolence!" And the goon made to grab at Orihime.
Orihime was scared out of her wits, she couldn't see a thing so she'd have to rely on her senses to protect the kids, she didn't want anything to happen to them, especially Akio. If that meant her taking the beatings for them, she would do it gladly.
As she pushed him behind her, she heard the words spew forth from his foul mouth and anticipated the first hit, when she felt a light wind swirl around her, displacing her hair as she felt a large presence in front of her, and then she heard the voice that she couldn't get out of her mind for a month.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Renji asked as he held the arm of the man that almost struck Orihime in a death grip.
The goon's eyes bulged and he stuttered as fear gripped him, "T-T-Taicho… Gomen, gomen, gomen! I wasn't thinking straight…"
Renji squeezed his hand tighter, eliciting a strangled scream from him as the goon fell to his knees. "If I ever see you mess around with these kids or even look at Orihime in any way again, I will fucking castrate you with my Zanpakuto and then beat seven different shades of shit out of you… And trust me, that won't be the worst part…" Renji snarled at him while giving him a deadly glare, furrowing his tattooed eyebrows.
The goon looked like he was almost shitting himself, his wrist was painfully obviously broken. He cried out, "I swear Taicho, I will never commit any crime again, I promise! Not against these kids, not against Miss Orihime and not against anyone, I swear Taicho!"
Renji let him go and watched him fall to the floor in agony, he then kicked him and sent him flying into the other two, who had become paralyzed in fear at his presence, sending them all to the ground. "If I ever see any of you again, it will be the end of your fucking existence, understand?"
"Hai…" They all groaned
"Now scram before I decide to fucking beat the whole lot of you!" Renji screamed
He watched as the other two picked the leader up and bolted away. He then turned to see Orihime standing shocked, with her arm around Akio, the others watching in awe. Her hair was in disarray, probably because he shunpo'd so close to her.
He moved closer to her and lifted his hand, moving a few strands off of her face and behind her ear, lightly brushing the smooth skin of her cheek. He looked down at her and asked, "Are you okay Orihime?"
"Hai… Arigatou Abarai Taicho…" She slowly smiled as she lightly held onto his wrist that was still behind her ear. She couldn't help but feel overly warm and happy that he had come to their rescue. Once again, the slight touch of his fingers on her cheek sent a small shiver down her body.
With his close proximity, she could smell his wonderful and unique scent, it was so manly, and uniquely him. She felt like closing her eyes and leaning into him but refrained from doing so. He was a Taicho for goodness sake! She had to suppress the sudden feelings she was having towards the Taicho, she really didn't want to scare him off.
However, Renji was battling a few demons himself. The smile she was giving him, and the feeling of her silky hair in his palms and her soft hands on his wrist was sending tremors throughout his body. He looked at her light grey eyes that he knew couldn't see him, and he noticed her plump rosy lips that begged to be wrapped in the warmth of his own.
Right now he felt like wrapping his arms around her and succumbing to the feeling of claiming her lips. Everything be damned, he worked on instinct, and right now he was following his instinct as he lowered his head towards her inviting mouth when he was brought back to reality by the sounds of loud cheering of his name by the kids around him.
At the noise, Orihime jumped back, startled. 'Damn brats!' he thought menacingly. He growled under his breath and shoved away his irritation as all the kids came up to thank him. He grinned at them and then looked at Orihime who was smiling as well.
"Hai, Thank you Abarai Taicho, you are very kind" she said softly.
He chuckled, "Well you have a brave one here" he said as he ruffled Akio's hair. The boy in question shied away, moving behind Orihime's leg and peeking out from behind her dress.
"Oh! And Arigatou Akio! We had two saviors today!" Orihime laughed. The little boy just smiled while everyone else shouted their approval.
They stood around chatting for awhile, well mostly him talking because the kids wanted to know what it was like being a Captain. Eventually he noticed it was getting late so he decided to call it a day, so did Orihime.
They all waved bye to each other, as Orihime and Renji walked towards the street. She stopped when reaching the street and turned in his direction.
"Well thank you very much Abarai Taicho, I really don't know how to repay you…" Orihime said while wringing the stick between her hands once again.
"It was nothing Orihime… but be careful in future, there are a lot of creeps around here." Renji replied, frowning.
"Hai, I will. Well take care Abarai Taicho, hope to meet you around here soon" She smiled and then bowed as she turned to leave.
He grabbed her wrist, "Oi, Orihime, I'll walk you home." Once again he felt that tingling sensation grip his body as he looked down at her.
Orihime stopped short and attempted a protest but he stopped her before she could get any further. "Let's go", that said, he slipped her arm in the crook of his arm and watched her smile as they walked to her home. He could have used shunpo but he wanted to drag out the time he spent with her. They had quiet an animated conversation on the way and Renji felt at peace in her presence, to say he mildly enjoyed her company would be a major understatement.
On the other hand, Orihime was over the moon that the Taicho decided to walk her home, she really wanted to spend more time with him and she was enjoying their conversation as well as the feel of his arm linked with hers, she felt so safe and warm… Ever since living in Inuzuri, she had always had lewd men hit on her, throw crude remarks her way.
Many thought that she was a tramp just because of her looks, especially because of her large bosom. What was worse was the groping… Men would grope and grab on her assets all the time, especially because she was blind. She would try flaying her stick around but it was no use.
Most of the time her friends in the market would chase them of, but sometimes they would get away with it. She was lucky though that they hadn't taken it far, one of her fears were being raped but she made sure she was cautious, always getting home before dark, and having an escort most of the time. She couldn't help but smile at the thought of Abarai Taicho saving her and the kids, it made her feel protected and she didn't feel so scared anymore...
"Orihime, you were really brave back there, you were going to take the beating for the little kid…" Renji said, pulling her out of her thoughts.
"I had to… Akio is really tiny, and I know if they hit him they would not relent, whereas I would handle it. I would do it again if I had to." She said with a look of determination on her face.
He chuckled at her expression but then frowned at the thought of anyone laying a hand on her. He would beat the bastards to hell if they ever tried anything on her! He didn't know where all these protective feelings were coming from but he embraced it because he knew she deserved them.
"Do you always give out food to the kids on the street?" He wanted to know
"Hai, they are sweet, even though they tried to steal before and would often get beaten, so I figured that I'd help them, so I bring them treats everyday when I come to deliver my orders. I feel bad because they have no family and they struggle to find something to eat everyday, I don't want them to feel that way or get hurt all the time. They're just innocent children…" she said sadly.
Could she get anymore amazing? Renji thought to himself as he stared at her with wide eyes. He remembered the hardships of growing up in this district and to know that Orihime made things easier for the kids who were just like him, warmed him to no end.
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When they reached the house, Renji made to leave but Orihime insisted he stay for tea and muffins. Renji could not deny her, he just had to taste those muffins, especially after he had the biscuits she made.
As Orihime was about to pick up the tray to bring it to the table, Renji came up behind her, taking both her hands in his and whispering close to her ear, "Let me…"
Orihime felt a strange sensation in the pit of her abdomen and her breathing was shallow as she felt his cool breath blow against her hair and her ear. His body was so close to hers, that if she leaned back a bit she probably would be flush against his chest.
His warmth and scent was surrounding her as he held onto her arms from both sides. She closed her eyes and replied with a whispered and strained, "Hai…" as she let go of the tray.
His hands slid slowly of her wrists, touching her fingertips as he left her arms completely. He shifted a bit and grasped the tray, making his way to the table. She followed slowly and took her seat.
Renji slowed his breathing back to normal, in that moment all he had wanted to do was pull her back in his arms, encircle her waist tightly while burying his face in her neck. She smelled like lavender, and it was driving him insane.
It had taken most of his will power to pull away. He really didn't want to scare her and then again he didn't know what to think, this was Orihime after all…
As they had their tea, they spoke about Seireitei as well as Renji's life as a captain, in between Renji stuffing his mouth with the remaining muffins, which he thought were heavenly.
He answered all her questions, which were mostly about his Zanpakuto and his duties. He loved talking to her, she got excited over the simplest of things. She also had the tendency to blurt out whatever was on her mind, no matter how outrageous it was, and that's what he liked about her.
Right now she was talking animatedly about how she would have loved to see, if she had her sight, all the Captains Bankai's as well as their materialized Zanpakuto spirits. He couldn't help but smile.
"What does your released Zanpakuto look like Abarai Taicho?" she looked towards him enquiringly.
"Well, it's broader as it moves away from the hilt and transforms into a segmented blade with a pick like protrusion on each segment. I can stretch it out coz the segments are attached but I can only complete three attacks before I have to return it to the hilt." Renji explained.
"Ohh… that sounds cool! What about your Bankai?" She asked again
"It's just a larger version of my Shikai, but it looks more like a skeletal structure, more like a snake." He said while smiling.
"Wow…" She replied in awe. "That really sounds amazing…" She said with an expression of wonderment on her face.
Renji couldn't help but chuckle at her childlike amazement. She was so innocent and appreciated the things that everyone took for granted. "Well if you want, I could release Zabimaru for you so you can feel it…"
She looked up at him shocked, "You would do that for me…? I wouldn't want to burden you or anything..." She said with shimmering eyes.
"Oi, it's no problem and you're not burdening me Orihime" He said reprimanding her slightly.
"Heh, heh, ok…" She said sheepishly, smiling slightly.
Reni grinned and got of his chair, pulling his katana from its sheath, he released it and then held onto Orihime's right hand, placing it on the hilt. He watched her face as her mouth gaped open slightly and her eyes widened in wonderment as her hand moved along the sword smoothly, feeling every curve and ridge of his Zanpakuto.
Renji's mind immediately went into the gutter as he started thinking of how those wonderful hands would feel moving along the ridges and contours of his body and especially how it would feel along the long length of his 'Zanpakuto'… Renji closed his eyes slowly and groaned quietly imagining the possibilities… He almost jerked when he heard Orihime's voice bring him back to reality.
"Abarai Taicho, are you ok?" She had stilled her movements and looked towards him with concern on her face.
Renji refrained from groaning again as he now noticed the amount of cleavage that was revealed as Orihime had leaned forward to touch the sword. Her voluminous breasts were just to large to be contained by the dress and from his vantage point above her he was getting a rather pleasant view, well more than pleasant as the stirring in his hakama approved.
He shut his eyes and dragged his free hand over his face, reprimanding himself. Here he was, on the verge of a hard on and this innocent woman was looking up at him with concern in her eyes because she thought he wasn't feeling well. Baka! Baka! Baka! He shoved down the heated feelings and croaked out, "N-No Orihime, I'm fine…"
"Oh, I thought I heard you make a small sound like you were in pain…" She said softly.
Yeah, pain alright… Renji thought… "No, I'm okay…"
Orihime nodded and continued her exploration as Renji looked elsewhere except the ministrations she carried out on his sword. Zabimaru was one lucky bastard at the moment.
He was trying to focus on the fire place on the other side of the room when he heard a gasp and a noise from Orihime. He turned towards her quickly as he saw her hold her index finger to her chest.
"Owie… your sword is really sharp Abarai Taicho… And you weren't even moving it!" She giggled a little to avoid her embarrassment at getting cut.
Renji frowned and reached for her hand, pulling it away from her chest. The cut wasn't that deep but it bled fast. He was annoyed with himself, if he had controlled his hormones and concentrated on her movements, this wouldn't have happened. Without thinking, he slowly kneeled in front of her and took her finger into his mouth to stop the bleeding.
He didn't think of the repercussions of his unthinking actions. Her finger was warm, and so was her blood, once the metallic taste subsided, he couldn't help but suck on her finger a little longer, all while looking up at her while her mouth opened slightly and her eyelids drooped downwards.
Orihime did not expect that, the feeling of her finger in his mouth was beyond exquisite. He rolled his warm tongue along the edges and then the length of it until he consumed her entire finger and started sucking on it gently. Her lids begin to droop and she tried hard to hide the moan that wanted to escape her mouth.
She was brought out of her Euphoria as she heard a loud clang to her right and then his mouth had immediately left her finger in haste. She heard him mutter something to himself as she realised he stood up quickly and then the sound of the katana being sheathed. She was shocked, how could she behave like that! In front of a Taicho! Oh how embarrassed she felt right now… At least she was spared the look he was probably giving her and maybe the regret in his eyes…
"Er, do you have any band aids or such around?" she heard him say.
"Hai, in the cupboard above the counter top…" She said quietly, looking towards the ground to hide her face.
Renji wanted to kick himself right now! Argh! But he was such an idiot that he would probably miss! He should get Ikkaku to beat the shit out of him when he gets back, or maybe Kira! Why in God's name did he do that…? Now she would probably be scared of him, but damn everything to hell, she tasted so good… and that was just her finger!
He had wanted to lick every part of her supple body until he reached those sweet rosy lips of hers and devour them like the beast he was, and when he had looked up at her, he could have sworn she felt the same way… Her eyes were almost glazed over and her lids were half closed, not to mention the shape of her mouth, he swore she was on the verge of a moan. Argh! He needed to stop thinking! He was beginning to drive himself into frenzy!
He looked for the band aids and shut the cupboard a bit too forcefully, venting some of his frustrations. He walked back to her and calmed down when he looked at her slightly shocked face.
"Sorry… My hand slipped..." he said as he took her hand, wrapped the band aid around her finger securely and quickly stepped away from her.
"I should be going now… Thanks for tea again Orihime and sorry about your finger." He said softly making his way to the door. When he reached outside, he realised that she hadn't been following and his heart fell, he figured he probably did scare her and she didn't want to even be in his presence anymore.
He looked at the ground in sadness as his heart began to feel heavy once again… he couldn't help the strange attraction he was feeling for her, it was all happening so fast and he couldn't understand it all. When his feelings weren't returned with Rukia, he knew that he would never feel that way about another woman, least of all someone he knew but never took notice of.
He reasoned in his head that maybe he never really noticed Orihime before was because he was too focused on Rukia. His life had revolved around her. Everything he did was because of her. The weird thing was that was just how it was with Kurosaki and Orihime…
Her powers were attained from him, she went with him to Soul Society not knowing the dangers, especially when she sacrificed her freedom for her friends, mainly Ichigo, to go to Hueco Mundo. Her life revolved around him. Her love for the substitute Shinigami could be plainly seen on her face by everyone… Except the bastard it was for…
He was glad in a way that she had no memory of what happened. He didn't think she would have been able to move on, especially as she wore her heart on her sleeve. In the end it was her grief that had blinded her which led to her death…
With all these thoughts in his head, he really couldn't help but want to be there for her, especially with these new found feelings of his. After what just happened in there, he hoped she wouldn't hate him for his forward actions.
As he was about to shunpo away, he heard her sweet voice call to him. He looked up and there she was, beautiful as ever in the afternoon glow, holding a small package in one hand and trying to find her way towards him with the other. He quickly flash stepped to her.
"Orihime?" he asked questioningly, looking down at her.
"I just thought that you'd enjoy these seeing as you finished all the ones on the table" she said giggling softly.
He smiled at her thoughtfulness as he noticed the small package in her hands that contained a few muffins in them. He had been so worried and distraught that she probably hated him but now she had made him feel better.
She was too good of a woman… And he was glad and lucky he had her in his life. He was overwhelmed with happiness that she was so forgiving. He couldn't resist, he took the package from her hands and enveloped her in a light hug.
He felt her stiffen slightly, making him rethink his sudden action, but she gently relaxed into him with a soft sigh fisting his shihakusho lightly. He smiled from ear to ear at that sound and then gently released her after a short while, taking a step back.
"Arigatou Orihime…" he said, smiling gently at her, holding her shoulders.
"No, thank you Abarai Taicho" she countered with her own smile.
"Renji…" he said
"Huh… Taicho?" Orihime questioned
"Call me Renji"
"Ah… Hai, Renji Taicho" Orihime smiled.
"No Orihime, just Renji…" he told her once again.
"Woah! No! You're a Taicho! I couldn't just-"
She was cut short again as he said rather sternly, "Orihime… just Renji… No Taicho, got it?"
"Heh, heh… Ok, how about Renji-kun? It's not so bad…" she giggled.
He chuckled and grinned down at her, he could never win… "Hai, I'll compromise. Take care Orihime"
"You too Renji-kun" she beamed up at him.
He took a few steps back from her, gave her one last look and was gone in a second.
Orihime couldn't stop smiling at the exchange that had passed between them as she stood there for a while, arms hugging herself as if it were the Captains, feeling the sun bathe her in its warmth just like his arms had…